Disputes
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the brothers and sisters commending him to the grace of the Lord.
Acts 15: 36-40 (NRSV)
STORY:
To receive the kindness expressed by another individual can be a life changing experience. John Marshall realized this truth, therefore throughout his life he practiced the art of complimenting others.
In 1801 Marshall was appointed as the fourth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Under his leadership the Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review. Judicial review gave the Supreme Court its power to invalidate federal laws that were found to be in conflict with the Constitution. Until that ruling the Supreme Court was considered to be weak and ineffective. Though, under the leadership of Marshal, and with the ruling in the case of Marbury v. Madison which was heard in 1803, the doctrine of judicial review was established. This ruling allowed the Court to become a dominant authority as the third branch of government.
Yet, this noble man who now dictated to both Congress and the President always had time for the commoner, especially children. According to one story, a young boy arrived at the Marshall’s home to delivery of a message. The youth, standing in the presence of the esteemed Chief Justice, was shy and clumsy. Detecting the boy’s nervousness John Marshall offered this invitation, “Billy, I believe that I can beat you in playing marbles. Come into the yard and we will play a game.” As the Chief Justice and the errand boy knelt together in the dirt, the youth realized his own stature as an individual. From that day on everyone in Fauquier County, Virginia, told the story of how a messenger boy who lost his bashfulness playing a game of marbles. To be invited, to be accepted, will allow a person to know his or her worthiness.
DEVOTION:
Paul and Barnabas had a compelling friendship and an admirable working partnership. When Paul went to Jerusalem for the first time to meet with James, the brother of Jesus, and the other apostles, it was Barnabas who introduced him. The church leaders in Jerusalem were skeptical of Paul and his Damarcus Road experience. As Paul organized and oversaw the stoning of Stephen only a few years earlier, it was difficult for them to accept such a radical change in his religious perspective. Barnabas tried to convince the apostles of the authenticity of Paul’s conversion experience, but to no avail. The Jerusalem disciples dismissed Paul.
Barnabas and Paul continued to work together as missionaries and evangelists. Barnabas was with Paul on his first missionary journey which began in the year AD 46 or 47. This journey began in Antioch and continued throughout Asia Minor. Accompanying the two evangelists was John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. When the trio landed in what is now the Turkish mainland, John Mark decided to leave the group.
In AD 48 or 49, Paul proposed to Barnabas a second missionary journey together. Paul’s plan was to return to the cities and churches they had visited in Asia Minor on their first missionary journey. Barnabas agreed, though he wanted to take John Mark with them. Since John Mark left them on the first missionary journey, Paul questioned his loyalty and refused to allow him to accompany them. At this juncture Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways. Paul took Silas on his journey, and Barnabas and John Mark travelled together.
We must wonder how history would have been changed and the church better promoted if these two evangelists would have greeted one another with words and actions of acceptance.
Unfortunately, sadly, in every congregation there is conflict and disagreements. Most of these disputes are similar, only a few are unique. Combined, they all dwell in the shadow of John Mark, Paul, and Barnabas. Peace and tranquility can be the hallmark of all our congregations if we learn to “play a game of marbles together.”