In Need of a Friend?

One of the deepest pains we can experience is that of being a disappointment. For some, this pattern begins in childhood. For others, it derails them later in life. Now, facing reality, they feel the deep shame of knowing that they have disappointed those whom they have loved and who have depended on them.

Someone who knew the pain of disappointment was Mark – sometimes referred to as John Mark and, by tradition, the author of the Gospel of Mark. Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and, while still young, he accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). For reasons unknown, Mark left them at Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). And because of this ‘desertion,’ Paul and Barnabas fell out when Paul refused to take Mark on their planned second missionary journey (Acts 15:38).

Paul’s rejection of Mark and the knowledge that he had caused the breakup of this great missionary team, must have been heavy burdens for this young disciple. Details of Mark’s recovery are not recorded, but the influence of Barnabas was important. Barnabas was so named because the name means ‘son of encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). It was Barnabas who reached out and vouched for Paul when the Apostles questioned his ‘Road to Damascus’ conversion (Acts 9: 26-27). And now it is Barnabas who sees the potential in his maturing cousin when he chooses Mark to accompany him on his journey to Cyprus while Paul partners with Silas (Acts 15:36-41).

The story of Mark reminds us of the importance of finding a trusted believer as we journey with the Lord – an accountability partner, a spiritual mentor, a sponsor, call it what you want. Barnabas, ‘a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith’, was such a man to whom the Jerusalem church turned when it needed someone in Antioch (Acts 11:19-24). In Barnabas, Mark found the right spiritual mentor on his recovery from disappointment. And he did recover. Because Paul, who had rejected Mark for his planned second missionary journey, later recommends him to others and includes him in a group he calls his ‘co-workers for the kingdom of God’ who has ‘proved a comfort to me’ (Colossians 4:10-11). Paul learns he can count on Mark, no longer a disappointment but someone he can trust. So, Mark becomes Paul’s companion during his imprisonment (Philemon 24) and it is no wonder that, as he faces execution, Paul wants Mark to be with him and instructs Timothy to “Get Mark!” (2 Timothy 4:11).

We can all follow in these same steps of recovery. Past failures and pain can become our credentials for service. But, as the saying goes, “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” And so, we should not do it alone. We all need a Barnabas. God uses others to sharpen us, to focus us on the things that we may not see in ourselves, to be a source of encouragement and comfort, and to help us to become the best version of who Jesus wants us to be. Just like Mark.

So, do you have a Barnabas in your life?