Acts 15:36-41  Some time 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. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (NIV)

—

Early in this chapter, a dispute arose that, if resolved differently, we probably would not recognize Christianity as we do now. Fortunately, those early leaders, including James, the brother of Jesus, Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and their peers, chose the path of grace. 

They discussed their unique positions. They noted their areas of disagreement. More importantly, they noticed where they all most certainly agreed. They chose the path of agreement. 

They celebrated what God was doing in unmistakable ways. The Holy Spirit, who had empowered them from on high, was doing the same for the Gentiles. Who could argue with that? Who could argue with God? 

The Jerusalem leadership kept their instructions simple and sent not only a letter, but also a couple of people to testify that this was indeed the conclusion, not something Barnabas and Paul had penned on the way. Everything was done in a manner we would call above reproach. 

Then we come to the story contained in these verses. Paul approached his mentor and teacher with the idea of going back where they had been to see how those new Christians were doing. They were in complete agreement. 

Barnabas wanted to take John Mark again. Paul didn’t think that was wise because he had deserted them before. “They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” This is one of the saddest sentences in the New Testament. 

Notice that instead of focusing on points of agreement, they got stuck on their disagreement. They dug in. Paul wouldn’t let go, and neither would Barnabas. Whereas the leaders in Jerusalem chose the path of grace, Barnabas and Paul separated over a lack of it. 

The good news is this is still not the end of the story. 

Paul and Silas left and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Barnabas and Mark sailed for Cyprus to do the same. 

Maybe you’re beginning to see the start of something Paul will write about one day. One of our favorite Bible verses may well have grown out of this incident. Take a look at Romans 8:28. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Instead of one pair of missionaries, there were two. There’s probably a better way to get to two pairs than a big argument. Even so, two pairs of well-equipped leaders went and did what needed to be done to take the good news everywhere. 

I wonder if, when Paul was writing those difficult verses in chapter 7, particularly verses 21-25, he was thinking about himself. The man he wanted to be, maybe even the man he thought he was in those early days, was not the man he needed to be or would become. He got there, in time, by grace. 

Keep reading Paul’s letters, and you’ll see more about John Mark. He doesn’t write there about a quitter. He doesn’t write about an immature person who would only weigh down the work of the gospel. Instead, the man who became homesick or afraid, or both, visited Paul in prison. You can read about it in Colossians 4:10. 

Barnabas insisted on showing grace and mentoring John Mark like he had mentored Paul. Paul himself would later say in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 

What does reconciliation make possible? How does grace shape hearts, minds, and cooperation? John Mark grew into the man who would write one of the four Gospels. In every chapter, you see some confusion about Jesus. You see Jesus correcting the confusion. You see endless grace and perfect love. 

Some young leader or disciple needs your mentoring and encouragement. Some leader needs to lean into the ways of grace. And there is some leader who remembers what a failure he or she was and how God used even those failures for the good of the kingdom of God. 

Aren’t you glad God rescues wretches? 

Aren’t you glad God reorients confused leaders? 

Aren’t you glad God is still working on us? 

Aren’t you glad for Philippians 1:6, where Paul writes that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”?

Aren’t you glad for Philippians 2:13, where it says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”? 

Aren’t you glad that whatever you lack in grace and truth, Philippians 4:19 assures us, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”? 

What have we learned here today?
1. Do the hard right thing. 
2. Do the hard right thing with grace. 
3. See everyone the way God sees them for what they can become by his grace.
4. Lead with grace in all things, at all times. 
5. Remember that someone we take with us on the journey may be the most important person we help.

—

I will live and lead by grace.

—

Our Father, if it weren’t for your amazing grace, I would not be sitting here now. If it weren’t for your wonder-working power, I would have been finished a long time ago. If it weren’t for people who saw what a failure I was and helped me begin again more intelligently, I never could have been of use to you. Use me in whatever way you see fit to channel your grace. Use me to help others grow up into all they can be for you. Make me the mentor, coach, counselor, and friend that they need to get where you want them to go. Amen.