Read: Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service 2 Tim 4:11

Examine:

Church Boy: The story of John Mark, starts in Acts 12, when Peter is miraculously delivered by an angel from the prison when Herod had arrested Peter to be killed. When Peter was freed, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Mission Traveler: Barnabas and Paul came to Jerusalem to help the church in Jerusalem. The word of God continued to spread and grow. Barnabas and Paul finished their mission and returned from Jerusalem, taking John Mark with them to Antioch church where Paul and Barnabas were serving.

Missionary Tarinee: Later from Antioch church Lord Set apart for Barnabas and Paul, to do the work to which the Lord had called them.”  And in the first missionary trip, they preached the word of God in the synagogues. They had John Mark with them to help in the work.

Deserter: Paul and his companions traveled to different places and faced very tough challenges, where John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem.

Reason For Division: Later mission visit, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them,  but Paul did not think it was right to take him, because he had not stayed with them to the end of their mission, but had turned back and left them.  There was a sharp argument, and they separated: Barnabas took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus.

Restored: Later Mark meets Peter and gets restored to a great man of God, and towards the end of Paul’s ministry we see Paul asking Timothy. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me with the work.

Application: We know there was a gathering in John Mark’s house and he was closely associated with Peter and His mother was a strong believer. The church witnessed one of the greatest miracles due to their fervent prayers. Have gatherings at home and depend on prayers in tough situations too.

John Mark’s availability to help, the young man got scared and fled, but his restoration story, Lord is a great comfort to know Lord is still patient. Lord can change any situation, Lord Jesus can make us like Him, if we surrender.

Decision: Lord Jesus I want to surrender and humble myself at your feet. Teach me never to take anything for granted. John Mark failed though he had great mentors, Lord my confidence in all my weaknesses is that you can change everything. John Mark was restored to be useful, though he was the reason for the division of two great apostles.