Bring Mark

“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” (II Timothy 4:11)

Paul, the great apostle, writer and evangelist was nearing the end of his life on earth. “The time of his departure was at hand.” He had instructed Timothy to come to Rome before winter when there would be no sailing possible. He had instructed Timothy about items he should bring with him. He mentioned his cloke, his books and the parchments. And bring Mark.

John Mark had forsaken his uncle Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. When they were making plans for their second missionary journey Barnabas suggested taking John Mark. But Paul refused and took Silas with him and Barnabas chose Mark to go with him.

A number of years passed and during that time we find Mark mentioned favorably in some of Paul’s and Peter’s writings.  “Bring him,” Paul says, “for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

Mark had been a disappointment. But Barnabas patiently worked with him and now this quitter was the man who Paul wanted to come to Rome where Paul was in Jail. If you have failed in a role in church or some other role, make yourself available and God can use you.