Comeback: Deserter to Leader (John Mark)
John Mark could be the Forrest Gump of the New Testament! Not because of his intelligence or athletic ability. But because of all the famous people he rubbed shoulders with! You may not have ever noticed him, but he's there and has a remarkable story! He first appears in Acts 12:12. He's identified as being present in the home of his mother Mary when the church gathered there to pray for Simon Peter when he was in prison. Then he's noted in Acts 13:5 as being with Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus as they began their missionary journey. He didn't stay with them long. Acts 13:13 says he left them to return home to Jerusalem. It doesn't seem like a big deal at the time. But Acts 15:38 says he deserted them. Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, eventually returning to Antioch. After a time, Paul proposed that they go back to all the cities they visited on their first trip and see how the churches were doing. ...