And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus…
Acts15:36-41
Paul and Barnabas remained at the church in Antioch in Syria, the church that had sent them out as missionaries. After many days of ministry there, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they return to the churches they had established to see how they were doing. Luke introduced John Mark back in Acts 12. John Mark had gone with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. So, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them on this trip. But, we learn in today’s verses that John Mark “withdrew” from Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia. From the argument between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark, there must have been some hard feelings regarding John Mark’s leaving them when he did and Paul and Barnabas split over this matter. Barnabas took John Mark and they travelled to Cyprus. Paul asked Silas, from the Jerusalem church, to go with him and they travelled to the churches that had been established in Syria and Cilicia. John Mark will become active in the Jerusalem church and will write the New Testament Gospel of Mark. Paul, later in his mission work, will write that he would like to see John Mark again. So, the separation between Paul and Barnabas was “mended” and they remained cordial with one another later on. God makes each human unique in character, personality and other human factors. Some may clash with other fellow Christians in this life because our humanity is incomplete, not glorified, but fallen in sin. In Heaven, there is no presence of sin and our existence will be eternally blissful. In the Love of our Savior and Lord Jesus, we will willingly, cheerfully, obediently do His will and enjoy Him in all things that we do. Each one of us will be unique, just as we were made here. But, no strife will exist, none of the factors that mar our humanity in this life. May we consider our perfect Heavenly existence, even as we try to live the Christian life today.
Source: S C Ball July 9, 2023
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