John Mark (3) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Barnabas and Saul having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit sailed away to Cyprus And they had John also as their attendant and John separated from them and returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 13:2, 4, 5, 13

John Mark (3)
It is good when younger and older believers serve the Lord in tandem, like Elisha and Elijah and Timothy and Paul (Acts 16:1-3; Phil. 2:19-20). What a wonderful opportunity John Mark had here to learn from two older brothers and serve the Lord by helping them with their mission in practical ways.

So why did he leave them in the lurch when they got to Pamphylia? Scripture does not say directly but does give us clues. (1) The mission team encountered "a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus" (Acts 13:6-8). Opposition to the gospel—especially when it is sinister like this—can make us tremble. (2) Saul (or Paul) was "filled with the Holy Spirit" and dealt with this man in spiritual power (vv. 9-12). Boldness in others exposes our own shallowness and puts us to shame as we realize we are not up to the task. (3) It had become clear in Cyprus, Barnabas's home territory (Acts 4:36), that the Lord wanted Paul (meaning "small") to lead the team (compare "Barnabas and Saul" in 13:2 with "Paul and his company" in verse 13). There is no evidence Barnabas resented this, but Mark may have been unhappy that his cousin (Col. 4:10) had lost the primacy. Sometimes loyalty in our own families gets in the way of us serving God as members of His family (Mk. 3:31-35).

But surely the real reason Mark went home was that in his heart he was not "separated" for the work of the Lord (Acts 13:2). He did not have the conviction to stand with the others, and God who knew greater difficulties and dangers awaited them let him go (v. 50; 14:19). Praise Him, He would bring him back in time.

Simon Attwood