27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
02 Acts 12 20-25 THE WORD OF GOD GREW 20 Acts 12 25 The Master’s design
📖 Acts 12:20-25
20 – Thu, 13 Feb 2025 – *The Master’s design* - _Acts 12:20-25_ – THE WORD OF GOD GREW – _II Timothy 04:11_
_Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, *and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark*._
Though John Mark went through the struggles of a young person in handling life’s challenges, we see that he matured through the process. He learnt the lessons that the Lord desired him to learn.
_James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing._
James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. That is a strange statement for if we look into our lives, how did we handle a life crisis? All of us struggle when we go through a crisis of any nature. Joy is something that we do not consider at all. Yet, this is what James is calling us to experience. How is this possible?
The answer to James’ challenging call is in the following verses. *We must see the outcome of a crisis*. Crises produce faith and patience, which then makes us complete. So, James is calling us not to look at the crisis, and be perturbed, but to look beyond the crisis and see the outcome. This is a trait that we must cultivate in the enablement of the Holy Spirit.
Let us ask the Lord, “Lord Jesus, please teach me not to look at a crisis and be anxious, but look beyond the crisis and see that you are building your character into me through the crisis, and be joyful. Amen.”
John Marks’s life is a pattern for the playing out of this principle. John Mark's story shows his growth and reconciliation with Paul, emphasizing themes of forgiveness and second chances.
*Reconciliation*:
Paul and John Mark eventually reconciled. Paul mentions Mark positively in his letters, indicating that he had become a valuable assistant.
John Mark became a fellow prisoner or labourer with Paul when Paul was in prison in Rome. _Philemon 1:23-24 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, (24) as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers._ This tells us that John Mark had come from Jerusalem to Rome to be with Paul when he was in prison.
Reconciliation had happened between Paul and John Mark. John Mark was prepared to be stretched in the work of the Gospel and *he decided that it was important for him to reconcile with Paul*, though Paul had been tough with him.
Many of us prefer to keep a distance from those who challenge, confront and push us to achieve more. Yet, this is where leadership takes place. *We must be willing to be mentored by demanding leaders. These leaders will be the ones who will teach us the unforgettable lessons of life*.
*John Mark came back to Paul and sought his mentorship*. Not only was John Mark useful for Paul in his prison years but John Mark became a good emissary on behalf of Paul to other places. This shows that Mark had developed to be a mature leader.
Paul, too, accepted John Mark and continued to invest in his development as a leader, which shows the greatness of Paul, not casting off a person, but being willing to nurture.
_Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),_
Paul was writing to the believers in Colosse that Mark would come to them and that they should receive him. Paul had given instructions to them regarding John Mark. This verse gives us an idea that Paul was confident enough with the development of Mark as a leader that he sent him to Colosse, to carry his message to the believers there. John Mark was now a representative of Apostle Paul! Wasn’t this a great honour for a young man who struggled earlier in his faith journey?
At the very end of his life, Paul writes to Timothy and asks him to bring John Mark with him to Rome. _II Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry._ The few people who were with Paul at the very end of his life were Luke, Timothy and John Mark. We can praise God for the way the Lord built up this young man to be a good mature leader for the Gospel.
How are we to know with certainty the positive outcome of leadership development in the life of John Mark?
*Writings*:
The proof is that John Mark is credited with writing the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark is therefore an outcome of the influence that Barnabas, Paul, Peter and others had on his life.
The Gospel of Mark has found its way into the New Testament Canon. This is the orchestration of God. John Mark went through turbulent times in life but he stayed the course and the result is that we have the Gospel of Mark in our hands.
The Lord weaved His beautiful design into the life of John Mark and the consequence is that millions of people have been blessed because the Gospel of Mark is in the Bible. Consider the awesome ways of God.
```When we go through crises in life, we must stay the course, for the Master is designing His perfect plan in and through our lives.```