Good friends disagree and part company: “Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed with each other about John Mark’s readiness for missionary service—so much so they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left…” (pp Acts 15:36-41)
12 years later, Paul’s words about Mark: “Mark, Barnabas’s cousin, also sends greetings … Make Mark welcome if he comes your way.” (Col.4:12)
5 more years later, “Get Mark and bring him with you” (2Tim.4:11)
Lord Jesus, as this Scripture demonstrates, there are times when your faithful servants don’t see eye to eye on big and little matters. Different perspectives can lead to sharp disagreements. Sharp disagreements often lead to painful words. Painful words tend to lead to various degrees of disconnect and distance. This happens between best friends, in healthy marriages, and among those who serve you.
What can believers sharply disagree about? Where do we begin? We differ over the best Bible translation, the greatest American president, and the healthiest diet; the timing of Jesus’ return, which college football teams belong in the playoffs, and the ideal thermostat setting for sleep; the best worship liturgy, where to vacation and whom to invite, and cremation versus embalming; which missionaries to support, the color scheme for a home renovation, and this year’s Thanksgiving menu; fly fishing or spin fishing, the Book of Common Prayer or the Heidelberg Catechism. The list goes on and on!
The question isn’t, “Who was righter about Mark—Paul or Barnabas?” The questions is always, “What does faith expressing itself in love look like” (Gal.5:6)? Until you return, Jesus, we will see things differently, but the current chapter of disagreement is not the final chapter you are writing.
With time plus grace—Paul, Barnabas, and Mark didn’t merely “kiss and make up.” They grew in grace, waited on you, and brought you glory. That’s what we want too, Jesus. So Very Amen.
