God of the second chance!

We first read of Mark in Acts, when Peter went to “the house of Mary the mother of John also called Mark” after Peter’s miraculous release from prison he goes to the house of Mary the mother of Mark. Mark must have shown some useful abilities and gifting as well a servant spirit and he accompanied them Acts 12:25. When Paul and Barnabas left on their first missionary journey and he took Mark with them as their assistant. This was a great opportunity for Mark, to work with Barnabas his cousin (Colossians 4:10) and also with the great apostle Paul. But not too long after that Mark returned to Jerusalem Acts 13:13.
There is no explanation for his return but maybe could be that things got too hard for him, and he tough he couldn’t endure. When Paul decided to take another missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to give Mark a second chance but Paul didn’t think was a good decision, Paul and Barnabas had such a big disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chooses Silas and went to Syria and Cylia strengthening the churches (Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas became Mark’s mentor and encourager.
Mark’s confidence in Barnabas eventually paid off! During Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome He wrote a letter to timothy and asked him to “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul become so confident in Mark that he asked for his assistance.
Barnabas second chance, and God restoring work and Mark faithful response led Paul to regain the confidence in Mark. The apostle Peter gave a strong indication that that Mark did indeed make that journey to Rome to be with Paul during his final days.

What a great change, a beautiful thing. I have learned trough really hard situations that some things can never be redone or undone, but we pick up where we failed and move forward.

Mark proves that failure isn’t final. Jesus touched Mark’ life forever with a second chance. And Mark finished his race as a faithful and reliable servant. Love truly never fails…



kelry Green