[Friday's Devotional] - Being reconciled

Being reconciled Sometime 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." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 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. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. Acts15:36-40 [NIV] Paul and Barnabas had been on a missionary journey together across Cyprus and up into Turkey.  They had taken John Mark with them, but he left them when they got to Turkey.  We aren't told why.  In the account it simply says 'John left them to return to Jerusalem'.  After their trip, they had been back to Jerusalem and I suspect Barnabas had spent time with his cousin and resolves any differences he had and so was keen to give him another chance. But clearly something stuck with Saul and on this second journey, he didn't want to take Mark with him.  So they part – Barnabas heading to Cyprus by boat and Paul heading north. The impression you get is that two good men could not agree and a sad parting of ways resulted.  Barnabas seemed to focus on the need and potential of Mark: Paul on the demands and potential of the larger cause of the mission. A lot of our life is made up of the application of biblical principles to situations not explicitly dealt with in the Bible and therefore complete agreement in these areas will not happen while we 'still know in part'.  Sometimes we have to agree to disagree and go our separate ways.  It is how we deal with these events that reflect our character in God.  Do we harbour bitterness and resentment or continue to show grace and love. A final word attributed to Paul in his old age: Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 [NIV] Pray that when we cannot agree we can still love and be reconciled. Guy Mowbray   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!