Overcoming Bad Moments in Life - Colossians 3-4

 Colossians 4:10 (ESV)

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),

At the conclusion of most of Paul’s letters we read a list of those he is commending to the readers he is writing to.   These men and women listed have done something that has furthered the gospel and Paul’s work around the establishment of that group of believers and/or believers in other places.   Colossians is not exception to this pattern.  In the above passage we read about Aristarchus and John-Mark.    Both, according to the above passage are men who are companions with Paul in ministry.   Aristarchus is stated as being in prison with Paul.  We can probably assume that of John-Mark as well.  

Aristarchus, whose name means, “the best ruler,” is listed in several places in the book of Acts:  Acts 20:4; 27:2,4; Acts 19:29.   In one of those passage we can read that he was familiar with suffering for the Gospel:

Acts 19:29 (ESV)

29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel.  

It seems that Aristarchus would be a normal person Paul would speak highly of, based upon his previous travels and experiences with Paul.   But, Mark is the more intriguing mention for Paul.  He, too, is mentioned often in scripture, both in Acts and in other books, as well as by Peter.   

Acts 13:5

Acts 13:13 

Acts 15:37-39

1 Peter 4:13

Philemon 24

2 Timothy 4:11

It is the Acts 15:37-39 passage that helps us understand something interesting about Mark’s being mentioned here, in Colossians:

Acts 15:37-39 (ESV)

37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

John-Mark had failed Paul and his uncle Barnabas on their first missionary journey.   Yet, here he is commended in the letter to the Colossian church.   Somewhere along the journey and growth of the church there was growth in John-Mark.  Paul did not want him on the second missionary journal, but note what he will later write:

2 Timothy 4:11 (ESV)

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

John-Mark is a great story about all of us.   We may fail but when God empowers us we can be assured we have some further profit to the church.  We should never hold the history of someone against them when God is enabling their present walk to be so historic!