“The church in Babylon, also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.” 1 Peter 5:13 HCSB
Who is this Mark? Is it John Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas? Or is it the Mark who wrote the Gospel with the same name? A few commentaries said that the Gospel of Mark may very well be influenced by Peter. But is John Mark the same Mark? I do believe so. It was this Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas until He deserted them.
“But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.”
Acts 15:38 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/act.15.38.hcsb
He left Paul and Barnabas and found Peter and spent time listening to Peter and then wrote Peter’s gospel accont. Mark adds in his own story into the Gospel.
“Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him,”
Mark 14:51 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/mrk.14.51.hcsb
This story is unique to the Gospel of Mark which leads many to believe that this was Mark fleeing. Mark may have been a youngster who followed Jesus in the crowd of 70 disciples along with Luke. While Matthew and John were one of the 12.
It was the same Mark that Paul would ask timothy to bring to Him because he has become beneficial to him.
“Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:11 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/2ti.4.11.hcsb
Who of us can relate to Mark? We started following Jesus when we were young. We turned away from God when things got too hard for us and we fled keeping nothing tied to Jesus. In later years we had a mentor who helped us but once again we found it too hard. We would settle down in a different ministry and listen to the stories of a pastor. Only to be reunited with our old past because we have grown into the person who God called us to be.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)”
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/zec.4.10.nlt
Your story, my story, everyone's story started out small we have bumps and bruises we may be ashamed of, but God uses all these things to create in us the exact person He wants.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 HCSB
https://www.bible.com/72/rom.8.28.hcsb
Will we love God through the bumps and bruises of life? Will we follow our call despite our weaknesses? Will we let God work out all the details of our life for His good and perfect will? Or will we become bitter because it did not work out in our time?
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.””
Joshua 24:15 NLT
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