The God of the second chance

The excellent Mr. Standfast today has posted a simple reminder for us: The God of the second chance. He includes no commentary, just two passages of scripture:

Acts 15:38-40 (circa 50 AD)

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, β€œLet us go back and visit the brothers 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.

2 Timothy 4:9-11a (circa 65 AD)

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

Don’t you just love these juxtaposed passages? There is much to observe and to be read between the lines; the loyal love of Barnabas, the growth in Kingdom usefulness of John-Mark over those fifteen years, and – did you catch it? – the development of a gentle humility in the aged Paul. And even a tender hint of loneliness in the old apostle. “Only Luke is with me.” – ahhh. Luke. Good man.

God never gave up on Mark. Neither did Barnabas. And in the end, neither did Paul.

May God build into me the encouragement and steadfast love of Barnabas, the boldness and single-minded drive of Paul, and the growing usefulness of John Mark. Not to mention the ability to just “be there” exhibited in faithful Luke. These are jewels in the crown of character that I desire greatly.

And may I learn to extend the same grace and second, third, and four-hundredth chances to others that God has extended to me.

3 thoughts on “The God of the second chance

  1. Bill, Earlier today I read those same verses and didn’t think much needed to be said, indeed, perhaps nothing more could be said. Yet you have managed to do it and do it well. May that my prayer be the same as yours.

  2. I felt the same way, and considered not adding commentary.

    But I couldn’t he’p myself! πŸ™‚

    Thanks for the constant encouragement, Brian

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *