John Mark (2) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

And Peter having become clearly conscious in himself, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where were many gathered together and praying And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service entrusted to them, taking also with them John, surnamed Mark.
Acts 12:11, 12, 25

John Mark (2)
In these verses we find three men who greatly influenced John Mark's life as a believer: Peter, Barnabas, and Saul (Paul). This reminds us that as we grow older, younger believers are looking at us and learning from what we do and say.

We can also learn from John Mark's name, mentioned twice here. John means "Jehovah is a gracious giver"; Mark, "a defense." Everything we are and have in Christ is by God's grace, and we are "kept guarded by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:5).

But we should also keep in mind, whether older or younger, that each of us is responsible to walk with the Lord and obey His Word. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he not only rejoiced when he saw the grace of God among the believers but "exhorted all with purpose of heart to abide with the Lord" (Acts 11:23).

And God provides abundant resources. There is the experience and example, knowledge and teaching of older believers, but also the fellowship and prayers of all the saints. Mary, John Mark's mother, had made her home available to the brethren in Jerusalem to gather together and pray. Surely her prayers and theirs followed Mark as he traveled with Paul and Barnabas. It is good also to read of another home marked by another spiritual resource; Paul writes to Timothy, "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation" (2 Tim. 3:15 nkjv). May these resources mark our homes; no doubt God used them to keep Mark.

Simon Attwood