Yes, it is even possible for the most devout Christians to let their emotions take over. In the case of our text, the situation became unbearable. Paul and Barnabas had been a missionary team for a while. But Paul suggested they go further to the churches where they had previously visited, but Barnabas wanted to take John Mark.( John was his Jewish name, and Mark was his Roman name.) However, Paul had a significant grudge against him because originally John Mark was allowed to go with the team on a missionary journey, but in the middle of it all their ministry was nearly aborted when the incorrigible companion just abandoned them at Pamphylia.
To know more about this insecure missionary, let us start from the beginning to better identify him. He was the son of a woman named Mary of Jerusalem. (Acts 12:12) She was a widow but very wealthy. I have often thought of this man in the beginning of his public life as a spoiled rich kid. His mother was the owner of a house that was so large it could accommodate a multitude of Christians who gathered together. It is assumed that this room was the original location of the Last Supper when John was a boy. He likely witnessed some of the final events of Jesus life including the fact that he was spying on Jesus and the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. The garden may have belonged to the family, which meant that John was serving as a caretaker over the grounds. When Jesus was arrested in the garden, Scripture records that a young man fled away naked. (Mark 14: 51-52) He may have been asleep in the watchtower of the garden and that explains why he was undressed. It was not until years later that he stopped being a peeping Tom on the events of Christianity’s development and became an active participant in the ministry of Jesus.
In his personal history, we meet him again in Acts 12 to 15. He journeyed with Barnabas, his cousin, and Paul. It is likely in the synagogue he was a teacher. It is uncertain why John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas in their missionary journey so that he returned to Jerusalem. Some have speculated that he did not approve of the leadership style that Paul displayed over Barnabas. At any rate, whatever happened was a serious event in Paul’s opinion that caused him to reject John Mark on the second journey. This led to a breakup with Barnabas. John Mark rejoined his cousin Barnabas so they might go to Cyprus and minister. Paul took Silas so that together they could go to Cilicia and Galatia.
Abruptly, John Mark seems to disappear from the pages of Scripture for a lengthy time. Eventually there was reconciliation between Paul and John. He became a fellow worker and one who planned the visit to Colossians. The first book of the Gospels of the New Testament was by Mark, which probably drew details from his association with Peter. We can tell now that Mark went from being a shy rich kid uncertain about his calling to ministry to that of being one who wrote that first gospel. It’s important to brings us to the original observation that even Saints could allow themselves to enter into a bitter argument. Let us first note that no mention of God anywhere in this argument was made. If we are going to stand our ground on something that we believe is very serious, it must be based on a conviction from God. Then let us know with confidence that there was a positive outcome to this argument since they were two teams going into missionary journeys instead of the original one. Thus, the ministry was enhanced.
However, that enhancement was not intentional but consequential. We can surmise that the journeys Mark performed with his cousin Barnabas generated spiritual growth for himself, which later made him attractive to Paul. We must be careful how we voice our disagreements with fellow believers. We cannot assume that good will come out of bad generated by ourselves. We can assume that those intent on serving the Lord in ministry can eventually perform it as a result of unusual circumstances.
Just because there is a conflict in the church with other leaders does not mean good will result. However, those who seek God’s leadership will likely find themselves eventually being used by God. What difficulties or clashes have you had within the church, with other leaders? Did you grow spiritually as a result? Did you submit yourself later to God’s influence?
Christian Writer 