John Mark

On Wednesday in Teen Church we started a new study in Mark's Gospel. I want to take a long, lingering look at Jesus with our teenagers. In preparation for this i read the excellent 'Question Mark' by Douglas Moo, which introduces the narrative, structure and talks about the author and dating of the book. It was his chapters on Mark's life that warmed my heart the most, for two reasons.

First of all, Mark was a young man that grew up in the Gospel. His mother was probably an influential woman in the Jerusalem church. Moo tells us that the last supper may even have taken place in their house. Imagine! There's Jesus teaching on the new covenant, there's Peter and John and Simon the Zealot and the rest of the guys. I imagine a young Mark crouching outside the door, listening in, trying to catch a word or two from some of the greatest men who ever lived. No wonder Mark got on a boat with Paul and Barnabus and Luke as soon as he could. He probably followed Peter all the way to Rome, and constructed his Gospel based on Peter's preaching.

What an incredible set on influences Mark had on his life. Literally some of the best men who had ever lived made a mark on this man's life. I wonder what influences our lives? Are we in the way of God? Finding ways to spend time around great men, whether living or dead? Do we read books by the great men? Do we spend time with the preachers and leaders in our own churches? Are we plugged into the community that Jesus wants for us?

Who are you being influenced by?

For all Mark's great influences, he still had his struggles. He probably followed the disciples to Gethsemene, and then he was probably the young man who ran away naked. Then there was some sort of falling out with Paul on one of their journeys, and Paul didn't want him to go with him again. Mark wasn't perfect. He had his struggles, he had his failures...and yet...the Holy Spirit uses him to write a Gospel! Isn't that cool?

Why can't Jesus use you? Have you failed? Then you're in excellent company! Isn't that what the church is? A bunch of people who have admitted they've failed and they need help? Mark is among that number, and i know i am! Don't let past failures determine your future. Mark didn't, and the Lord is still using him today!