What Jesus Did! 'John Mark, the Evangelist' — Mark as revealed in Acts 15:36-40

It's leap day! So we're taking one day off from the Gospel of Mark to talk about the writer, John Mark. The John Mark in today's Scripture is better known as just Mark. He has traditionally been viewed as the evangelist who is responsible for the Gospel of Mark. Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on what is often called the first missionary journey. ^[1] When things got tough, however, Mark deserted the work. ^[2] When getting ready to go back and visit these recently established churches and do additional mission work, Paul refused to take Mark with them. The great story we learn behind this horrible split in the great mission team of Paul and Barnabas is that God continued to work in the ministries of both Paul and Barnabas. Instead of one mission team, there were now two. Barnabas helped reclaim Mark, and Paul involved Silas, another bright and passionate young man in ministry and missions. Toward the end of Paul's life, Paul also asked for Mark to be with him. ^[3] So God worked in their lives and brought harmony as well as extra mission power out of what would otherwise have been a disaster. The Gospel of Mark is a great reminder that we all need a second chance, and in Jesus, we get it!