THE KING'S BUSINESS portunity to become acquainted with other leaders such as James and John and James, the brother of the Lord'. It was perhaps from the latter James that he learned the incident of Mk. 3:21, which Peter would be less likely to mention. His kinship with Barnabas, his knowledge of Christian history and teaching, and proved efficiency account for his being taken along on the first missionary journey as "minister" to Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:5). Why did he turn back from the work (Acts 13: 13) ? Not because of home– sickness, or anxiety for his mother's safety, or home duties, or the desire to rejoin Peter, or fear of the perils in– cident to the journey, but rather be– cause he objected to the offer of salva– tion to the Gentiles on condition of faith alone. There are hints that Mark's family, like Paul's, were He– brews of the Hebrews, and it is not without significance that in both verses (Acts 13:5, 13) he is given only his Hebrew name. The terms of Paul's re– monstrance are very strong (Acts 15: 38) and we know that nothing stirred Paul's feelings more deeply than this very question. The explanation of It all may be found in what happened at Paphos when the Roman Sergius Paul– us became a believer. At that time Paul (the change of .name is here noted by Luke) stepped to the front, and henceforth, with the exception of 15: 12, 25, where naturally enough the old order is maintained, Luke speaks of Paul and Barnabas, not Barnabas and Saul. We must remember that, at that time, Paul stood almost alone in his conviction. Barnabas, even later than that, had misgivings (Gal. 2:13). Perhaps, too, Mark was less able than Barnabas himself to see the latter take second place. We hear nothing further of Mark until the beginning of the second mis– sionary journey two years later, when Paul's unwillingness to take him with
938 It Is encouraging to know that Mark became afterward a brave and faithful soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not give up the idea of being a missionary because Paul would not take him on his second missionary tour. He went into the field with Barnabas and did good service and in after years Paul approved of him and sent for him, rejoicing in his devotion and ministry. By the grace of God the fickle incon– stant Mark becomes a steadfast hero ready to share Paul's imprisonment and even death. Deserters from an army in time of war are court-martial– led and shot, but God always gives us a second chance and is ready to for– give and restore through infinite grace. The following on John Mark is given by Dr. J. J. Farmer in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. John represents his Jewish, Mark The father was probably dead. The description of the house (with its large room and porch) and the mention of the Greek slave, suggest a family of wealth. They were probably among the many zealous J ews who, having be– come rich in the great world outside, retired to Jerusalem, the center of their nation and faith. Mark was "cousin" to Barnabas of Cyprus (Col. 4: 10), who also seems to have been a man of means (Acts 4: 36). Possibly Cyprus was also Mark's former home. When first mentioned, Mark and his mother are already Christians ( 44 A. D.). He had been converted through Peter's personal influence (1 Pet. 5:13) and had already won a large place in the esteem of the brethren, as is shown by his being chosen to accompany Barnabas and Saul to Antioch, a little later. The home was a resort for Christian!, so that Mark had every op- COMMENT TAKEN FROM Dr. J. J. Farmer his Roman name. His mother's name was Mary (Acts 12:12). The home is spoken of as hers.
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