Links for today’s readings:
Read: Daniel 1 Listen: (3:22)
Read: 2 Tim 4 Listen: (2:84)
Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 4.6
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Reflection: The Mark of Reconciliation
By John Tillman
Mark (often called John Mark) was a key figure in the New Testament who served as Peter’s secretary (1 Peter 5.13) and an eyewitness to parts of his gospel account. According to Clement of Alexandria and Origen, Mark’s gospel is based on his records of Peter’s preaching and personal accounts.
But Mark and Paul had a spotty history. Mark was a relative of Barnabas, who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on one of their early trips. It did not go well.
We don’t know exactly what happened. In Acts 13 Luke states Mark “left them” for Jerusalem, but in Acts 15, it is clear that, at least in Paul’s mind, Mark “deserted” them in Pamphylia (Acts 13.13; 15.38).
Whatever the nature of the desertion, Paul refused to take Mark on a future trip. Paul and Barnabas disagreed so strongly that they stopped working together. The first church planting ministry organization dissolved amidst personal conflict. (If the New Testament was fictionalized, this would be edited out.)
But woven through the rest of the New Testament, we see restoration and reconciliation between Paul and Mark. When Paul writes Colossians in the early 60s, he gives instructions that if Mark comes to the church, he should be welcomed. (Colossians 4.10) And here, in the final letter of Paul’s ministry, we read about Mark, “he is helpful to me…”
Time does no such thing as heal wounds but the gospel has the power to resurrect dead relationships as well as souls and physical bodies. The gospel can move those we refuse to work with today toward being those who are helpful to us. When we experience the power of the gospel and the forgiveness of our own sins, reconciliation should mark our lives.
Forgiveness can be one-sided. God can help us forgive anyone of anything regardless of whether they are repentant or not. Reconciliation and restored relationships takes work on both sides. Scripture doesn’t record it but there must have been accountability and demonstration of a change of heart for Paul and Mark to reconcile.
Whether we have wronged others or separated because of wrongs done to us, may we discover within the gospel, the resources of reconciliation.
Is there a “Mark” you need to forgive? Is there a “Paul” toward whom you should repent?
How will you extend forgiveness?
How will you demonstrate repentance?
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
How great is your goodness, O Lord! Which you have laid up for those who fear you; which you have done in the sight of all. — Psalm 31.19
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more about A Christian Response to Offense
Our culture is unable to bear offense and simultaneously unable to bear forgiveness.
Read more about Praying for Repentance
Defending correct doctrine is the task Paul is quite seriously commanding Timothy to prepare for. We need to prepare for it too.
