Acts 15:36-41
English
Standard Version (ESV)
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return
and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord,
and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them
John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with
them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to
the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they
separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to
Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been
commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he
went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Even the leaders
in the early church had disagreements.
This, you might say was the first church split! It was not over doctorial issues but due to
trust. It seems that Paul did not feel
that John Mark could be trusted to go with them because he had left them when
on their first journey. However, Barnabus
felt that he deserved a second chance.
Doesn’t it feel good when people believe in you enough to give you a
second chance? I am sure John Mark was
more pumped and ready to complete the journey just because someone believed
that he could. That someone was not just
Barnabus but I believe Barnabus was prompted by the Holy Spirit in order for
this to happen. I would suspect that
Barnabus might have been just as disappointed as Paul that John Mark had left
them when he did. Yet now, he believes hat
John Mark is ready. Maybe he took some
time to visit with him and hear a little more of John’s story. Perhaps the Holy Spirit softened his heart in
such a way that caused him to view the situation differently than Paul.
So, if the Holy
Spirit convicted Barnanbus, why didn’t He also convict Paul to allow John Mark
to go with them? Because this
disagreement led to a split up that furthered the Gospel of Christ. Rather than going together these two men
could divide and conquer, as one might say.
This argument,
while sharp, was one that led to the furtherance of the Kingdom. Awww, that all our arguments could be like
that. Both convicted that they were
being told two different things allowed them to spread the Gospel and allowed
newcomers, such as Silas and Timothy, to do the same.
As you seek Him
today, remember there are often times different perspectives on the same issue. We need to remember that even God will work
differently in different people. The
importance is that we follow His will and not our own selfish desires and that
we serve Him with gladness.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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