Acts 15:37-39 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.… As a general rule there is nothing more miserable than to dwell upon others' short comings. I call attention to the faults of three disciples to see that the old Adam is not utterly killed in the best of men. I. THE SHARP QUARREL BETWEEN PAUL AND BARNABAS. Mark, fired perhaps by the zeal of Paul, or impelled by the roving fancy of youth, had gone with the two to Antioch. They then took him on a missionary tour, but just when most needed he deserted. By and by, when another tour was in contemplation, Barnabas proposes to try him again. Paul refuses, and the contention was sharp. The only wise thing about the whole matter was the separation. It is far better for men who cannot work comfortably together to separate. If the contention had been patched up neither could have gone to the work with wholeheartedness. There were faults on both sides, but it would be difficult to say on whom the lesser blame rested. On the one hand there was the brave consistency which felt that a weak and irresolute man was not to be trusted with such a perilous mission; on the other there was the honest conviction that Mark was worth another trial. 1. The most godly men are still liable to sudden falls. A man never becomes so advanced in holiness as to get beyond the danger of old faults of temper. Let us seek the grace that makes a man the conqueror of his own spirit. 2. Those who are engaged in the same work may have antagonistic views on matters of prudence. It is no use trying all to see with one eye. Meanwhile we must have the spirit of charity, and bear with schemes which seem stupid and court failure. II. THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF MARK'S LIFE WHICH THESE VERSES REVEAL. The unpromising youth often surprises us by superior development. Soldiers who have quailed before the first fire have afterwards distinguished themselves as brave men. So with Mark. Barnabas' encouragement, combined with the sharp tonic administered by Paul, made a man of him. Both are needed today. III. THE HONOURABLE CONFESSION OF PAUL THAT MARK HAD TURNED OUT BETTER THAN HE HAD EXPECTED. (E. H. Higgins.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.WEB: Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. |
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