First Read: Acts 12:12
God: Good morning, Son!
KH: Good morning, Lord.
God: They grew fast, didn’t they son?
KH: Wow! They sure did, Lord. Through all this trial, my three kids and their spouses have really made me proud. That “Beginnings” curriculum and the Creation Minutes videos that Eric did and Kent Andrew edited are totally amazing! You have truly prepared them for the work of the ministry. Marlissa handles the office like a pro and Paul runs shipping like a well-oiled machine. I just wish I could be there with them, Lord.
God: You’ll be there, Son. Meanwhile, they will do fine. Sometimes young people need to be challenged to rise to the occasion. Your sudden removal to prison put a great load on their shoulders and they knew how to ask Me for strength and leadership. They grew up fast. Let’s go for a walk and meet a man who didn’t do so well his first try, but came back to do great things for My Kingdom…
KH: Where are we, Lord?
God: Ancient Rome, Son. That’s John Mark walking down the sidewalk. Go talk with him a moment, Son. He has quite a story to tell.
KH: Ok Lord…Excuse me, sir, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
John Mark (JM): Not at all. Let’s sit over here under the shade…Now, how can I help you?
KH: Well, I’d really like to hear your life story if you don’t mind. The Lord told me I’d like your story. Why are you in Rome?
JM: I’m here to assist the Apostle Paul. He’s in prison again. I’m headed out now to get us some lunch.
KH: Like Arby’s and Hardee’s?
JM: Like what?
KH: Oh, that’s right. They won’t be open for about 1900 years. My bad.
JM: We can’t wait that long for lunch! Anyway, Paul has been preaching the gospel all over Asia Minor, Greece and now Italy. People either really love him or really hate him. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of middle ground.
KH: I know that feeling too! So, how did you meet him?
JM: I was raised in Jerusalem. My mother is one of the 6 Marys mentioned in the New Testament. Jesus had His last supper at my house with His disciples and they all waited there for the Holy Spirit to be given on Pentecost (Acts 1:13).
KH: You must have a large house!
JM: Yes, it is pretty big. God has blessed us. I was just a teen, but I loved to listen to Jesus preach.
KH: I noticed that you were the only one to record the story of the young man fleeing naked when Jesus was arrested (Mk. 14: 51). Was that you?
JM: Well, yes. I didn’t put my name in there, but I was just getting in the tub when I heard them all go outside. So I quickly wrapped up in a sheet and followed them. I never dreamed it would be His last night and end the way it did. Anyway, later, after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven they were picking men to go on a mission trip to spread the good news. My cousin Barnabas chose me to go with him and Paul. (Acts 13:5). We went all through Cyprus preaching. It was great! But when we got to Perga and I saw the mountains we would have to cross and I heard lots of stories of the robbers and murderers in those mountains I started having second thoughts. I quit and went home (Acts 13:13).
KH: So fear motivated you?
JM: That as well as what we saw on Cyprus. I saw Satan at work up close (Acts 13:9). Plus, I was also homesick. Anyway, I quit. I was embarrassed to face the people back home. Paul got pretty angry over it and refused to take me on the second trip (Acts 15:36). He and Barnabas split up over it. Now I felt even worse! But, good old Barnabas saw something in me that others couldn’t see. He kept encouraging me and teaching me. He and I went on our own missionary trip. It was great!
KH: So where did you go?
JM: We went back to Cyprus to strengthen the believers there. It was good training and a time for me to grow in the Lord.
KH: That happened to me too. As a new Christian I was asked to teach a 5th grade boys’ Sunday School class. I was brand new, myself, but I studied hard to stay ahead of the boys. I learned a lot more than they did, I’m sure! God used that time to help me mature.
JM: Exactly! …What’s a Sunday School class?
KH: I’m sorry. That won’t be invented for about 1800 years. My bad.
JM: Anyway, Paul eventually came to trust me again. He told the Colossian church I had been a great comfort to him (Col. 4:10-11). He told Philemon that I was one of his fellow-workers (Phi. 24). Later, I went to minister in Babylon with Peter (I Pt. 5:13). That was fun! And challenging! It’s a pretty heathen place! Daniel ministered there for years as did Shadrach and his friends (Dan.). God always has a witness even among the heathen.
KH: That’s for sure. Maybe that’s why He has me here. I sure pray that He gives me grace to endure.
JM: Oh, he will! He took a coward and a deserter like me and gave him a second chance. He is a great God! He gave Jonah a second chance and lots of others in His Word.
KH: He even gives third, fourth and fifth chances, too. I sure hope people don’t give up when times get tough but if they do, your life is a great example of God using those who quit or failed. Thanks for taking care of Paul during this trial in his life.
JM: I’m honored that God would let me do it.
God: Let’s go home, Son. …John Mark grew into a great servant for My Kingdom. Your children have done the same. I’m still working on your case, Son. Go read a book and go to bed. I’ve got your back.