Surprising Recoveries

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:11

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

A few years before this letter was sent, Paul had a falling out with Barnabas over what to do about Mark. Mark had been with them on a missionary journey and for some reason abandoned the work. Paul didn’t take it lightly. Later, when Mark had another change of heart and Barnabas was willing to forgive and forget, Paul was adamant that he couldn’t join them again. The result was Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways, Barnabas teaming up with Mark.

When this letter was written, Paul was facing the final days of his life in prison. He wanted men to come alongside him and help him. He asks Timothy, possibly his most trusted and loved disciple, to come to Rome before winter. Then, he makes this astonishing request: “Get Mark and bring him with you…” Further, he explains, “For he is very useful to me for ministry.”

Paul had all but given up on Mark. Thankfully, Barnabas didn’t, and Mark became an effective servant of Christ, gifting the church with the Gospel of Mark and being an important part of the early days of the church’s formation. Paul was humble enough to recognize his error concerning Mark and seek his presence and help in ministry.

While we have to use wisdom and discernment when partnering with others in ministry, we should also view everyone who disappoints us through the lens of hope. By God’s grace, some will recover. They will learn from their failures. They will become effective and useful for ministry.

We should pray for that. Who do you know that has stumbled in their walk with Christ that you can pray for today?