Acts 15:36-41– Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”” Paul and Barnabas had remained in Antioch to continue preaching to and teaching them. It is thought by some that they stayed during the winter months. Then as spring came Paul thought it a good time to follow up with those that he and Barnabas had previously ministered to. As spiritual parents they wanted make sure the “kids” were doing okay. We must remember that as it is fulfilling the Lords command to witness, we must also always be concerned with the development of those who are new in the Lord. A baby is not born and then survives on its own. It must be protected and fed. Likewise with a newborn saint. Like a bird of prey from above, the enemy seeks to pounce on the unprotected young.
“Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. . Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” Barnabas and Paul disagreed about whether or not to take John Mark with them. Barnabas wanted to take him. John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10). Certainly the fact that he was family was a factor for Barnabas. Can’t you just hear the mother and aunt of Barnabas encouraging (strongly) to give John Mark another chance? After all wouldn’t the Lord, who loves John Mark as much as He loves Barnabas or Paul, want Barnabas to encourage and train John Mark? Of course He would! Barnabas could see that John Mark could redeem himself (gain confidence) by going out again as a missionary and thereby become a well-trained tool that the Lord could use. And in fact, we can see that Barnabas training John Mark later came to be a benefit even to Paul who wrote that John Mark would be a benefit to him in ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). John Mark, or Mark, certainly did grow as He not only later helped Paul, but the Lord used him to write the Gospel of Mark. Surely Barnabas had heard from the Lord in wanting to bring John Mark to encourage and build him up in the Lord.
Paul did not think it was wise to bring someone whom he considered a weak deserter. When John Mark, who was young, had been with them earlier, when things got rough and dangerous, he had deserted them. Paul wanted to bring only so many people and it seemed not wise to bring someone who, when the going got tough, might run away again. Paul, although said to be a man of small stature, was a tough, no back-down kind of guy. He was always ready to preach the Gospel (2 Timothy 4:2). He did not back down from preaching the Word even if beaten and stoned. He wanted people who would not back down but who would instead charge ahead and he did not think that John Mark measured up. Paul was not an unloving man, after all he wrote 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. However, it might seem that keeping “no record of wrongs” may have been lacking here. Yet we know that Paul, as was true of Barnabas, was being led by the Holy Spirit as what has become known as Paul’s Second Missionary Trip would prove to be greatly used of God.
Who was right, Paul or Barnabas? They both were and the fruits of their efforts bear that out. Did God want them to be in a sharp dispute in front of all the people? Was it a good witness to those they had taught to forbear and love each other? No, their argument was not God’s will. But important to take away from this is that God can use even what we did not do in the best way. Could an agreement have been worked out between Paul and Barnabas? Of course. Surely had Paul relented and let John Mark come along God would have blessed the missionary trip every bit as much. Surely John Mark would not have deserted them again and would have grown into a great asset to the missionary team. Did John Mark need to travel on a missionary trip with Paul and Barnabas to be blessed? Well, obviously not. But the men, to their own embarrassment, set a bad example to the people. It was not what the Lord would have wanted. But the Lord used both Paul and Barnabas in the direction that they thought they were led in. God finds ways when there seem to be no way (Romans 8:32, Genesis 22:8).
Family, the will of God is broken down and explained in different ways. Most of Christianity sees it basically the same. The point of contention would be if God has allowed people to have free will, or not. The Word of God is full of examples to show that God has given man free will. He has given us decrees that He expects us to follow, but since mankind strays from obedience, and disobedience is not God’s will, it is obvious that He has given us free will. The only reason for the fall of mankind is that Adam and Eve had a free will whether to obey God or not. However, let’s not toil over man’s free will at this time. Man has free will because in God’s Sovereign will He has given free will to us. So we see that from the beginning the perfect will of God (what is perfect and best) is not always (rarely) kept by man. So, as in this situation with Paul and Barnabas we can easily deduce from Jesus’ statement that love is the highest commandment (Mark 12:29-31), and love was not what guided the two men who were sharply arguing. So what could God do? Paul and Barnabas angrily went separate ways. Whom would God bless, if either? Well Family, God knows how to guide a wild and rebellious clowder of cats. That being so, even though the idea of mankind having free will seems like it would lead to absolute chaos, we are not considering our abilities, but God’s abilities. Therefore, God is in control in all circumstances and can make a way when there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:16-19). We know that God is omnipotent and that means that He has unlimited power to do what it is that He desires to do. He has omniscient so He knows how to do what seems to be impossible. God can take the imperfect will, the imperfect decisions of man to bring about His perfect will. The Jews (most) rejected Jesus, so God used their rebellion to save the Gentiles (Romans 11:11). It was always the will of God to bring the Gentiles into His flock. The Jews were called to lead us to Him. They fell short of that so God used them anyhow. So God’s perfect will, His sovereign will came to be, even though man had fallen short.
The two things we know for sure is that God wanted the new converts to be encouraged and strengthened and He also wanted John Mark to be strengthened and encouraged. These were not necessarily mutually exclusive as it came about to be through the arguing of the two apostles. It could have been worked out. But then again, who is to say that Paul and Barnabas were supposed to remain together? Perhaps God had different plans for both of them just as He did for Peter and John (John 21:21-22). Perhaps they needn’t have disagreeably separated, but could have lovingly done so. Perhaps they could have quieted themselves and let the Spirit bring them to a peaceable resolution. However, it is too often that even the best of the saints, the most knowledgeable and most used of us, can get caught up in thinking they know what’s right, or best, instead of seeking God. Usually that is not best. However, and praise God who leads feral clowders. He also brings rebellious men together. And this same unlimited God knows how to bring about His will, whatever the circumstance. Since He can spit on dirt to heal a man of blindness (John 9:1-7) He can also bring about His will though men are not always listening.
Finally that does not mean what will be will be. No, not in any way. God has given us free will and the very definition of free will means that every step is not always the right one. Yet, our God, who is beyond our understanding, knows how to make everything right. Things may be a mess, but we know that ultimately, now or later, God will make it right. We may die in pain but we will rise out of pain and in victory. In the end God wins and He knows how to make sure we also do. In fact, He has already made those who love Jesus victors. Eternal victors. Praise our God who is so good to us! Praise God!
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.