Parted Company

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 15:36-41

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink? Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

1 Corinthians 9: 1-6

Sometimes we have battles with our best friends. And sometimes we are never quite able to get over that. Paul and Barnabas had such a fight. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them on a trip to check on some new churches they had helped previously. But Paul did not trust Mark because of an earlier incident. Paul and Barnabas parted ways.

Later Paul and Barnabas reconciled, and in his final days Paul asked for Mark to be with him. Arguments do happen. Just make sure they are resolved. Grudges are a burden too heavy to carry.

A grudge is one thing that doesn’t get better when it’s nursed.

Our Daily Bread – February 21, 2011