Restoration is the act of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition. When we restore something, it takes work. If I restore a table, it will involve more than making it look beautiful. I need to make sure it is secure and can be used for its proper purpose. This may involve tightening up screws and bracing with boards to hold them together. The inward, or structure itself, must be strong enough to fulfill its function. So, it is with relationships, there must be an inward working, a healing of the heart, so the outside can function properly.
In Colossians 4:10, Paul writes about a fellow prisoner, and then he talks about Marcus, or as we would know him, John Mark, or Mark. He tells the Colossians to receive Mark. This may have been necessary because they may have heard of the sharp contention between Mark and Paul. To me, this is a beautiful acknowledgment of Paul. In Acts 13:13, John Mark had left Paul and his companions and for some reason headed back to his home. In Acts 15:37-39, Mark is on the scene again. Barnabas, who was an uncle to Mark, and known as an encourager, wanted to take Mark with them on this next trip. Paul absolutely refused. Acts 15:39 records that the contention was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and Paul took Silas.
Colossians 4:10 “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he comes unto you, receive him;)”
Act 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Pegram in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”
Act 15:37-39 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so, Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”
We can learn great lessons from the relationship between Mark and Paul. To me, this is a beautiful lesson of conflict turned to restoration. God always wants restoration to occur when a child has gone the wrong way. This resolution gives us insight into three areas.
First, how many of us have been a Mark and found a time when we needed to repent and rededicate our lives to the Lord? Mark is restored as being a dependable faithful servant. Somewhere along the way he had grown stronger in his faith and had begun to push forward not just as a companion, but also as a preacher of the gospel. In II Timothy 4:11, Paul sends for Mark and promotes him as a profitable preacher. The young man that left the ministry and went home is now the one Paul is promoting.
II Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
Second, we see Paul, a forgiving, reconciling saint. Paul did not hold Mark’s past failures against him any longer. This man that we all revere as an example to follow showed us that he is human. He allowed his emotions to control the situation when he and Barnabas separated, but, after a period of time, he realized he was wrong and his relationship with Mark was restored. He came to depend on him to preach the gospel and dispel the false teaching that was being taught in the church.
Third, we see the forgiveness of Mark. There was great contention between Paul and Barnabas, and Mark surely knew why they separated. Most people in Mark’s shoes would never want anything to do with Paul again. Yet, Mark and Paul’s relationship was not only restored, but it was better. He was no longer going along to be an aid or learn the ministry, he had become a profitable preacher, a trusted companion that Paul recommends to the church. Maybe Paul’s refusal to allow Mark to journey with him caused Mark to develop and grow into a profitable servant.
We should be extremely grateful for the truth of restoration, which is exemplified in the life of Mark. He proves that God gives second chances, and Paul shows us that we should too. We are to be a Barnabas to those who are weak in their faith or have lost their way. Had Barnabas not been the encourager and example to Mark, we probably would not have the gospel of Mark.
Most often, when something is restored, it is returned to its original condition. When God restores his people, he doesn’t just bring them back, he also carries them forward. I am so grateful for the restoration that Christ provides. If you are a Christian, but you are further from God than you once were, he is ready to bring you back and push you forward. I John 1:9 was written to Christians. It provides cleansing that allows the soul of His children to be refreshed.
I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
