But I won’t do that!

The missionary relationship from heaven

Paul and Barnabas was a match made in heaven. Barnabas was a man of encouragement, mercy and grace. Paul was a strong, no-nonsense, pragmatic leader. Together they were taking the world by storm for Jesus.

They are sent out together establishing churches in Antioch, Cyprus, Lystra and Derbe. They healed the crippled. They cast out demons. They were stoned and lauded as gods.

Literally, together, they changed the world.

And then it was over.

I would do anything for love…but I won’t do that.

A few years ago, Dr Pepper ran an advertisement about a guy who will do anything for his girlfriend/wife (set to the Meat Loaf song “I would do anything for love.”). He’ll shop with her, get soaking wet in the rain for her, he’ll fold her underwear in the laundry mat for her, he’ll buy her sanitary needs for her, but he won’t share his Dr Pepper with her. He won’t do that.

Paul and Barnabas have this moment.

They will do anything for each other…except agree on John Mark.

The John Mark dilemma

John Mark, as you may remember, accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary trip, but flaked out midway along. He went home, so Paul doesn’t have it in him to take John Mark again. Barnabas is a man of grace and mercy, so he wants to give John Mark another chance (who happens to be Barnabas’ nephew/cousin).

There’s an impasse.

Neither is willing to budge. No on is going to back down.

So the match made in heaven breaks.

It’s over.

Barnabas and John Mark go one way. Paul and Silas go another.

No one likes a split.

There are times in life we may not see eye to eye with others. There are times in life that these disagreements may even lead to a split in relationship.

It’s not advisable. It’s not fun. Sometimes it might be necessary.

Here’s the question. Is there potential for reconciliation?

It’s not clear if Paul and Barnabas ever went back to “the way it was,” but it is clear Paul and Barnabas were reconciled in relationship (I Corinthians and Colossians). It’s also clear Paul was reconciled to John Mark to the point they did ministry together.

Your conscience may lead (or have lead) you to breaking relationship with someone, but are you working toward reconciliation? Are you open to openly connecting with that person?

This is what God wants. He wants us in right relationship with each other.