Paul’s & Barnabas Divide
Paul feels compelled to go back and visit all the churches he and Barnabas planted. But conflict divides the missionaries and the mission. Paul takes Silas and they go overland.
We don’t know how long Paul and Barnabas are back in Antioch before they get ‘itchy feet’. Paul wants to do an ‘encore’ tour to check on the churches. He asks Barnabas to go with him. Barnabas wants to get the ‘whole band’ back together. Paul digs his heels in and it ends up splitting the two and the journey. Paul takes Silas overland while Barnabas takes John Mark by sea. Let’s rejoin our story as the two split into two teams for the Lord’s work.
Holy Spirit, show me what You want me to learn today. Open my eyes to see the story as it unfolds. Lead on; I will follow.
♥ ♦ ♥
Paul and Barnabas settled back into ministry life in the Antioch church after bringing the letter regarding circumcision back for the Gentiles. Life is good, and the gospel keeps spreading. More people join the ranks of the believes every day.
After a while, Paul starts longing to go back and see the churches he and Barnabas planted. “They are still new believers. They are sure to need direction” he concludes. And there is no one else he would rather make this journey with than the man who accompanied him the last time; Barnabas.
One morning, over breakfast, Paul brings the idea forward.
“I want to revisit the churches we planted. See how they are doing and encourage them.”
“That’s a wonderful idea! I will get word to John Mark.”
Paul’s brow crinkles. “Why do you need to get word to him?”
“So that he can join us again” Barnabas innocently answers.
Paul shakes his head emphatically. “I will not take him on another journey. ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’ (Luke 9:62).”
“He is young. All of us make mistakes when we are young. And if he is ever going to be of use to the Lord, he needs to be given a chance to make up for those mistakes.”
“He will not be ‘making up’ with me. I cannot rely on him. I will NOT take him, on ANY journey.”
It’s Barnabas’ turn to frown. “Did you even talk to him and discuss why he left us?”
“No. I have not. Nor do I intend to. I do not trust him.”
“Paul, be reasonable. What if we all refused to see the change in you after meeting Jesus on the road? What would you have done? Would you have given up and returned to your previous life? Would you have tried going it alone.?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t have to worry about it because the Lord had things well in hand.”
“And He used MY hand to do it. Who is to say He won’t use our hands to build up John Mark.”
“Let Him use yours then, for I will NOT take John Mark on ANY journeys.”
“This is wrong Paul, and you should know it. I will not abandon him.”
“Then YOU take him, for He is NOT going with me anywhere.”
“Then neither am I” Barnabas counters.
Angry, Paul stands up and leaves the table. He is hurt by Barnabas’ words, but not enough to go back on his refusal to take John Mark. Paul starts walking, and keeps on going until he feels his anger dissipate.
Barnabas is also angry. “How can he not see?” he wonders out loud as he paces the room. Barnabas resolves to do exactly as Paul suggested. “I will take John Mark with me and we will go to Cyprus.”
This decision made, Barnabas goes to the home of John Mark. He had returned with the group from Jerusalem after answering the circumcision question.
Barnabas calls out to him as he stands at the gate. John Mark is quick to answer and welcome him in.
“Shalom Barnabas. What brings you hear at this hour?”
“I want to ask you to join me on a mission trip.”
“This is exciting!” A cloud of uncertainty descends on John Mark’s face. “What of Brother Paul? Will he be going as well? And does he welcome me too?”
“Actually, dear cousin, it will be just the two of us. And I want to visit Cyprus. We have family there, which will make our visit more important. I want to reach all of our family for the Lord, as well as check on the churches we planted during our last journey.”
John Mark doesn’t push the question of why Paul is not going. He is afraid of the answer. He knows that he disappointed the apostle by leaving during their previous trip. Maybe someday, he will feel strong enough to approach Paul and ask his forgiveness.
“I will be honored to join you cousin. I mean brother” John Mark says with a twinkle in his eye.
By afternoon, Barnabas and John Mark are on their way to Seleucia to book passage to Cyprus. Barnabas leaves a note for Paul, letting him know where he and John Mark are going.
Paul, after sitting for a while, begins thinking of who might be a good fit to travel with him. One name comes to mind; Silas. He accompanied them back from Jerusalem, carrying the apostles’ letter to the Gentiles. Silas is a man of great value in the church and a prophet. The more Paul thinks about him, the more certain he is that Silas is the one to accompany him.
“The next step is to ask him” thinks Paul.
Paul returns home and finds Barnabas’ letter. He picks it up and begins reading.
“Shalom Brother. John Mark and I are on our way to Cyprus. We will meet with the churches there and encourage them. This will relieve you of this portion of your planned trip. I am confident that John Mark will be a valuable asset on this journey.
“Your brother in Christ; Barnabas.”
Paul isn’t certain how he feels about this development. He wanted to visit all the churches, but Barnabas is from Cyrus. Will he have success? “A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his household.”
Paul whispers a quick prayer; “Go with them Lord and give them success. Bring them home safely, in Your time.”
Paul turns his attention to securing a traveling companion of his own. He goes to the home of Silas and calls out from the gate.
“Shalom, Brother Paul” Silas calls as he approaches the gate. “What brings you to my humble home.”
“I desire to visit the churches Barnabas and I planted. Barnabas has taken John Mark and gone to visit the churches in Cyprus. I would like to visit the ones in Galatia. And I need a traveling companion; someone to share the work of the Lord.”
“I would be honored to join you in spreading the gospel. When would we leave?”
“I want to ask the elders to bless our journey, then set off right after the Sabbath. We will use the overland route, traveling through the Cilician Gates. We can certainly use God’s hand bringing us safely through that pass. Barnabas and I tackled that mountain range from the other direction last time. And I remember vividly the effort it took and the steep drops. I want ALL the help God can give on this journey.”
“Agreed, brother!”
Paul and Silas go to the elders the following day. The Sabbath is still two days away, but they want to seek the Lord’s guidance right away. This way, they have time to bring their request before the whole church meets.
“I feel compelled by the Spirit to make another journey, spreading the gospel and checking on the churches that have already been planted. I want to encourage them and deliver the letter from the Jerusalem Counsel in person. I have asked Silas to accompany me. We will be fellow workers in the field.”
“We heard that Barnabas and John Mark already set out on a missionary journey. Will you be joining up with them?”
“No. Barnabas desired to take his cousin, John Mark, over my objections. They will be ministering in Cyprus while Silas and I will begin in the region of Galatia and follow wherever the Spirit of the Lord leads us after that.”
“This is a sound plan. We will present you before the brethren on the Sabbath and send you out with the blessing of the Lord.”
The morning of the Sabbath, Paul and Silas are packed and ready to go. They leave their bundles at Paul’s home before heading off to the synagogue. Service proceeds as usual until the end. The rabi calls for Paul and Silas to stand before the people.
“Our brothers are embarking on another journey to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Together, we will commend them into the hands of the Lord.”
The people begin to pray together. “Watch over our brothers as they set out to serve You. Make their journey successful for Your kingdom and safe for their physical bodies. Open doors in the places You would have them go, and close the doors tightly in the places You don’t want them entering. Be their scout and their rear guard. Into Your hands we commend them. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ.”
After synagogue ends, Paul and Silas spend the rest of the day praying together in the privacy of Paul’s home. They rest soundly through the night, peace with their decision and journey allowing them ample rest.
Morning breaks and both are ready to go before the sun even makes its appearance above the mountains.
“Lead us Lord”, Paul whispers as they close and latch the door behind them. They have no idea what this journey will hold, how long it will last, or where they will go. But as long as the Lord is in charge, they KNOW it will bring good results.
(to be continued)
I want to stop here, before actually hitting the road. This is a long journey and may take a few days for us to complete it.
I’m curious why we never hear of the results of Barnabas and John Mark’s journey. Did they share the gospel with their own household? Did any receive the Lord?
Father God, there are so many little things I want to know about what happened in Your word. I can say one thing for certain; I would NOT be able to do what Paul did. Go off on a long journey with little to nothing to bring with him. I wouldn’t be the woman who travels with a hundred suitcases for a weekend getaway, but I like my ‘creature comforts’; a warm bed being among them. Thank You for placing me in the era where I can travel the world from the comfort of my own couch. Don’t let me get complacent in sharing Your word though.
