A Lesson From A Young Missionary Casualty
John Mark’s mother Mary was described as excellent Christian woman, who had received the disciples and saints into her house in times of persecution. The pen of inspiration
describes John Mark’s home. “Mark's mother was a convert to the Christian religion, and her home at Jerusalem was an asylum for the disciples. There they were always sure of a welcome and a season of rest. It was during one of these visits of the apostles to his mother's home, that Mark proposed to Paul and Barnabas that he should accompany them on their missionary tour. He felt the favor of God in his heart and longed to devote himself entirely to the work of the gospel ministry.” AA 166
Mother Mary’s son John Mark is named in the book of Acts as a young missionary, who voluntarily signed up to join the mission work. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys but sadly when the gospel work got very tough, John Mark quit going and went home to Jerusalem. This later became a big and sharp disagreement that led Paul and Barnabas part their ways.
“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.”
Acts 15:36-40
After that, the book of Acts focuses much on recording the missionary work of Paul and his companion. We didn’t hear much about the missionary journey of Barnabas and John Mark.
But what I like about Barnabas is that he is so patient with the failures of John Mark. Let us ask the Lord to let His Holy Spirit empower us. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can have God’s love in our heart- to be patient with the failures of every single person around us.
The reasons why John Mark quit has been subject to much speculation. But the good thing is the pen of inspiration describes what happen;
“Paul and his company continued their journey, going to Perga, in Pamphylia. Their way was toilsome; they encountered hardships and privations, and were beset with dangers on every side. In the towns and cities through which they passed, and along the lonely highways, they were surrounded by dangers seen and unseen. But Paul and Barnabas had learned to trust God's power to deliver. Their hearts were filled with fervent love for perishing souls. As faithful shepherds in search of the lost sheep, they gave no thought to their own ease and convenience. Forgetful of self, they faltered not when weary, hungry, and cold. They had in view but one object--the salvation of those who had wandered far from the fold. It was here that Mark, overwhelmed with fear and discouragement, wavered for a time in his purpose to give himself wholeheartedly to the Lord's work. Unused to hardships, he was disheartened by the perils and privations of the way. He had labored with success under favorable circumstances; but now, amidst the opposition and perils that so often beset the pioneer worker, he failed to endure hardness as a good soldier of the cross. He had yet to learn to face danger and persecution and adversity with a brave heart. As the apostles advanced, and still greater difficulties were apprehended, Mark was intimidated and, losing all courage, refused to go farther and returned to Jerusalem.” AA 169
We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes of John Mark. Why did John Mark fail and became a casualty? I don’t know John Mark personally but we can learn what really happen from the Spirit of Prophecy
- He was “overwhelmed with fear and discouragement,”
- He “wavered for a time in his purpose to give himself wholeheartedly to the Lord's work.”
- He is “unused to hardships,”
- “He was disheartened by the perils and privations of the way.” He had labored with success under favorable circumstances; but now, amidst the opposition and perils that so often beset the pioneer worker,
- “He failed to endure hardness as a good soldier of the cross.”
- He had yet to learn to face danger and persecution and adversity with a brave heart.”
Let us learn the secret of success of Paul and Barnabas.
- “Paul and Barnabas had learned to trust God's power to deliver.”
- “Their hearts were filled with fervent love for perishing souls.”
- They are “faithful shepherds in search of the lost sheep,”
- “They gave no thought to their own ease and convenience.”
- “Forgetful of self, they faltered not when weary, hungry, and cold.”
- “They had in view but one object--the salvation of those who had wandered far from the fold.”
Going back to the question, why did John Mark fail and became a casualty? We can learn from the fallen missionaries in our times. How a missionary became bitter and culturally stress, how a promising and good marriage was broken, how a committed missionary commit adultery and etc. Because the truth and reality is, these are bound to happen and we are all bound to failure.
“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.” Romans 7:18 (NLT)
We all deserve a second chance. No question about that. What I’m trying to say is that because we (including myself) have “not” truly abide in Jesus. We are going to fail… In our time today, I think this deserve much reflection. Jesus makes His life as an example for this essential principle of “abiding” in Mark 1:35. But the pen of inspiration makes this even clearer.
“All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God. In them is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and they need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts.” MH 58
I believe John Mark had strived to do his best for the Lord. He saw the good example and influence of Paul and Barnabas that perhaps he strived to imitate. We all strive to do our best for the Lord. All missionaries strive to do their best, wanting to be good and successful missionaries.
But why we all fail? Maybe because when we fail, we just strive to do better or we strive to do all by ourselves. But have we entered into full partnership with God?
Do we really integrate “the quiet hour for communion with God” in our daily schedule? This could be John Mark’s terrible mistake. For a married couple, you may have a worship with your wife but do you have a quiet time with God alone on a daily basis?
The pen of inspiration makes this clear, “Why is it that our youth, and even those of maturer years, are so easily led into temptation and sin? It is because the Word of God is not studied and meditated upon as it should be. If it were appreciated, there would be an inward rectitude, a strength of spirit, that would resist the temptations of Satan to do evil. A firm, decided willpower is not brought into the life and character, because the sacred instruction of God is not made the study and the subject of meditation. There is not the effort put forth that there should be, to associate the mind with pure, holy thoughts, and to divert it from what is impure and untrue. There is not the choosing of the better part, the sitting at the feet of Jesus, as did Mary, to learn the most sacred lessons of the divine Teacher, that they may be laid up in the heart, and practiced in the daily life. Meditation upon holy things will elevate and refine the mind, and will develop Christian ladies and gentlemen.” MYP 425
But there was hope for John Mark’s bad performance of abandoning Paul and Barnabas when things got tough. He got a second chance… He re-applied for a second mission and after many years later, Paul, who once rejected John Mark’s re-application to join his team, admires him (John Mark) so much that he requested him to join with him in his ministry at the end of Paul’s life. “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11
The Acts of the Apostles has recorded this way, “Paul was afterward reconciled to Mark and received him as a fellow laborer. He also recommended him to the Colossians as one who was a fellow worker "unto the kingdom of God," and "a comfort unto me." Colossians 4:11. Again, not long before his own death, he spoke of Mark as "profitable" to him "for the ministry." 2 Timothy 4:11.” AA 170
Being in the mission field can be very tough and challenging. And there is no way we can stand the trials and temptations without the Holy Spirit controlling us. So, let us stop performing our daily duties on our own way. Let us stop depending on our human desire or effort to do God’s work. And let us not worry. “Be still, and know that I am God!..” Psalm 46:10
Let us release our huge responsibilities, evangelistic plans and mission projects to God and asked Him to be in charge of all these and your life. This is very crucial in our missionary journey.
When the thing we fear and worry come upon us and if we don’t have a quiet time with God, we surely react in a negative way. There is no good result in a missionary life separated from God. There is nothing of any spiritual value and significance are possible apart from The Vine- Jesus Christ.
To abide in Jesus means to totally surrender to Him and to remain in Him- trusting him to meet all our needs and to fix all our problems and circumstances.
You need to have peace in unpleasant circumstances you are in. Without this constant peace in your mind and heart, this can make you sick and miserable. The sad result, you will give up like John Mark.
The Holy Spirit can give you peace but that is conditional. Let me repeat that, the Holy Spirit can give you peace but it is “conditional.” You need to receive it by spending a quiet time with God.
The time for serious revival and reformation is now!
Photo credit
https://frankboulet.wordpress.com/2019/09/05/servants-of-jesus-peter-mark/