Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

C. Who Is Worthy?1. some have suggested that John Mark is a New Testament version of the prophet Jonah, whoabandoned his own ministry out of dislike for Gentiles and fled from the presence of God2. I’m not ready to read that much into the little bits and hints that Luke included in the Acts, butthe question is a valid one–how do we judge who is worthy to hear the gospel or be invited to consider thetestimony of Christ and his apostles?3. here is how God explained it to Jonah (Jonah 4:1-11)4. are there occasions when God is trying to send us in one direction and because of prejudice,apathy, lack of preparation, cowardice or complacency, we either head in the other direction or sit idly?a. God has a gift and a ministry for all of us, but we can be as easily distracted and dissuaded asJonah or John Markb. think about the situations in which you find yourself, the opportunities you have to speak upor do something, and how often you instead do nothingc. perhaps we worry so much about casting our pearls before swine that we have begunhoarding those pearls for ourselves instead, forbidding not only the swine, but also the genuine seekerD. Correction1. the great thing about John Mark’s story is not the downfall, but the resurrection of his reputationand place in Paul’s heart2. of all the things that Paul ever did after his conversion in the Bible, this is just about the onlyevent in which people sometimes take exception and question his compassion3. we will never know for certain whether Barnabas or Paul was right, but in the end, what mattersis that John Mark restores himself to the ministry and Paul’s heart4. he is like his mentor Peter who denies Jesus three times, goes out and weeps bitterly, but thenfinds his way back to the disciples and throws himself into the ministry more than evera. we all have our failures, some subtle and private and others obvious and public, but whatmatters is what we do nextb. weep if you must in contrition and repentance, but then get back to work, because the daysare few before God will call you to judgment (Philippians 2:12-13)ConclusionWe can appreciate the character of John Mark as one who is flawed and sometimes distracted just as weare. John Mark corrects himself and gets back to work.Character Studies! 129