A Bruised Saint

Today’s story is from Acts 15:36-41. Paul wanted to return to some of the congregations he preached, to see how they were doing. Barnabas was to go with him, but he wanted to take his cousin, Mark. On the initial trip, Mark left Barnabas and Paul, for reasons unstated, before the work was completed.

This obviously angered Paul, who said that Mark was not to join them on the return journey.

We can only guess why Mark deserted Paul on the first trip. Perhaps he was homesick. Perhaps his faith level was not as high as required to sustain him on this very difficult journey. Perhaps Satan played mind games with him. The only thing we know for certain is that it was not God’s Will that Mark continue the journey to its conclusion.

A bruised Saint, Mark eventually regained his status as an evangelist. Late in his life, Paul and Mark were reconciled and Paul called for Mark to assist him in his ministry (2 Tim 4:11) Mark also did ministry with Peter (1 Peter 5:13). We also know that Mark authored the second book in the New Testament.

A bruised Saint was restored!

Like Mark, we all have been bruised. Maybe we went through a divorce. Maybe we did not get a promotion we deserved. Maybe we lost our job.

Sometimes we are simply victims of sin. At other times God might be trying to tell us something and there could be a lesson. However, we should also realize that Jesus died for us and that means that while we may be bruised, we are still alive in Him!

Some of us may also be like Paul. We delegated an assignment to somebody who, for whatever reason, was unable to complete it. The person might disappoint us and may even anger us. But we also need to realize that the person, through Jesus, is able to learn and grow and once again become a contributing member of the team.

Jesus reconciled us to God. He also reconciles us to each other!