Acts 15:36-16:5
15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.
16:1 Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.
Today’s scripture passage contains one of the most heartbreaking, though subtle, arguments in the New Testament. It begins with a simple idea between two friends, Paul and Barnabas. Paul wanted to return to the cities he and Barnabas had previously preached and follow-up with the early Believers. In a sense this was a reunion tour. Suddenly the two friends had a bitter argument over including John Mark, a man that Paul claimed didn’t deserve to be a part of the mission. Verse 39 sadly describes the deterioration of their friendship: “Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.”
I will never forget when my friend Eddie got married. His best man gave a very eloquent toast that included some wise advice for the soon to be married couple: “In your marriage compete at only one thing; always try to be the first to reconcile your problems.” My friend smiled and nodded his head knowingly at the sensible instruction. It wasn’t until a few months after being married that he realized how important that advice was and how hard it was to follow. (And now, as a married man, I also know this is true.) Sometimes arguing is necessary because it forces you to deal with frustration and anger. In the case of Paul and Barnabas’ relationship, arguing over John Mark and separating was not the problem, reconciling was.
Think about people or situations in your life that frustrate you. When you look at the life of Jesus you will see someone who was quick to forgive, even when He didn’t have too. He is our example of what reconciliation should be. The only way you’ll ever be “right” is if you deal with problems and then reconcile them.
Youth Department