Today’s reading is Colossians 3:1-4:18.

What a great study in opposites we get from the closing verses of Colossians. As Paul concludes his letter, he mentions two interesting men–Barnabas’ cousin Mark and Demas.

In this letter, both are mentioned as fellow workers who are greeting the Colossian brethren through Paul’s letter. The study in contrasts is what we see in these men elsewhere.

John Mark has gone down in history as the quitter. In Acts 13:13, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. Paul was so upset about that and so frustrated with Mark that in Acts 15:36-41 Paul and Barnabas split up over him. Paul had no use for him. However, clearly Mark grew. I’m sure it was through Barnabas’s help and encouragement. Yet, we see a disciple who grew. By Colossians 4:10-11, Mark has become a comfort to Paul. John Mark gives us encouragement to grow. Perhaps we’ve not always stood up to the tests we’ve faced. Maybe sometimes we’ve quit. We don’t have to give up. Let’s just find someone who can encourage us and be a Barnabas to us. We’ll grow. We’ll become useful.

However, there is also a warning. Demas sent greetings to the Colossians along with all of Paul’s other fellow workers. There is no indication of trouble. We don’t see any chink in his armor. However, in II Timothy 4:10, Demas is the one who left Paul. Not only did he leave, but Paul says it was because he loved the present world. I don’t care how you cut that, Paul wasn’t paying Demas a compliment. Where John Mark had grown, Demas lost ground. While John Mark serves as encouragement to us, Demas stands as a warning. We must not rest on our past work, but keep growing in Christ.

As someone once told me, as Christians, we are like trees. We’re either growing or we’re dead. Today, let’s emulate John Mark and follow his encouraging example.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

I can hardly fathom how it happened. The Jewish crowd had two men in front of them. One of those men had really and truly been involved in rebellion and insurrection. One had actually killed people. The other one had preached a message of peace and submission to others. One had brought people back to life. Just days earlier these very same crowds had been proclaiming this miracle worker was the descendent of David. He had never done anything worthy of death and even Pilate realized that.

Pilate gave the crowd an option. He could release Barabbas, the insurrectionist and murderer, or he could release Jesus, the man they had praised just days earlier. The other one would be delivered for a torturous death by crucifixion. How on earth could the crowds ever be stirred up to release Barabbas and pick Jesus to be crucified? How could they look at Jesus, a man who had taught in their synagogues, who had healed their sick, cast out demons, raised the dead and in so many other ways demonstrated Himself to be the Messiah for whom they looked, and pick Him to die. Nevertheless, that was the choice they made.

I can hardly fathom how it happened. God had two men in front of Him. One of those men had really and truly been involved in rebellion and sin. He had lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, committed immorality, coveted and pursued his own arrogant path of self-service in many other ways. The wages of his sins were death. The other one only ever lived to please the Father. He submitted and obeyed. He had never done anything worthy of death and God realized that.

But, God had an option. He could free and give life to me, the sinner and rebel, or He could leave Jesus alone. The other one would be delivered to a torturous spiritual death of separation from the Father. How in heaven could God ever be stirred to set me free by picking His only begotten Son, Jesus, for death? How could God look at Jesus, a Son who had only ever faithfully served Him, and put Him on the cross and then turn His face from Him? 

The crowds made their choice because of selfish envy. God made His choice because of selfless love. I have always been intrigued by the fact that Barabbas’ name means “son of the Father.” Because of Jesus’ death, I am now a son of the Father. I do not know how the Father, Son and Spirit could have so much love to let Jesus take my place. I just know I’m glad God did.

I don’t know how Barabbas turned out. Was he changed by this experience? Or did he simply go back and plot more rebellion? I can’t answer how Barabbas responded. I can only determine how I will respond. God put Jesus on the cross where I should be. Will I just keep on sinning and rebelling, spurning the sacrifice God offered for me? Or will I strive to become like Jesus who sacrificed Himself for me?

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC