Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

John Mark was a young man when he followed Paul and his cousin, Barnabas, on this missionary trip. But he didn’t follow them for long for when they were at Perga in Pamphylia, he left them and returned home. Why John Mark departed from them is unknown. The following could be his reasons:

1.      It might have been from fear of danger.

2.      Perhaps he was sick.

3.      Maybe, he was homesick.

4.      Maybe there was an emergency at home and he needed to go back immediately.

5.      He was tired.

6.      He didn’t like Paul’s style of leadership.

7.      He felt he wasn’t of much help to them.

Whatever the reason, it was obvious that Paul did not approve of it. Apparently it was a “big deal” to Paul though Barnabas had no issue with it. This incident became a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas which we read in Acts 15:37-41. Barnabas was willing to take John Mark again with them; but Paul would not consent. The result was they parted ways; Barnabas took John Mark while Paul chose Silas.

Whatever John's motives, we're happy to report that he was eventually reconciled to Paul and became quite helpful to him once again (2 Timothy 4:11).

I do not know why John Mark left the mission, but I do know why some missionaries left the mission.

1.      Lack of financial support.

2.      Failure to learn the foreign language and adapt to the culture.

3.      Problems at home congregation.

4.      Loss of faith and zeal.

5.      Lack of appreciation.

6.      Unfulfilled expectations.

It is unfortunate when a gospel preacher or a missionary quit. The false teachers are sending out their missionaries by hundreds and therefore, we should treasure the few missionaries and full-time preachers we have and give them all the support they need to preach the gospel. The main concern of most supporting congregations is money. But, should churches be spending thousands of dollars on their building each year while starving the missionaries they are supporting?

The scripture commanded us to support those who preach the gospel: “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14, ESV).

The church at Laodicea prided itself as being a rich church and was in need of nothing. But the Lord said they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelations 3:17). They were physically rich but spiritually they were beggars. They should have done more with their riches and help the poor saints and do more missionary works.

When the children of Gad and Reuben saw the plains on the western side of Jordan River, they fell in love with it and requested Moses that they would be pleased to have this land for their inheritance. But Moses was not pleased with their request and said to them: “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?” (Numbers 32:6).

Our missionaries and preachers are busy preaching the gospel. Should we be sitting here while they are fighting the Lord’s warfare? Of course we shouldn’t. We should be giving them the moral and financial support they need. We should be giving them encouragement. We could visit their work and show our support and provide all the help they need.

Why John Mark quit the missionary trip? We don’t know. But we know why some preachers quit. This we can help and must help when it is within our power to do so. Is the Lord pleased when a church is rich in her bank accounts but poor in her mission work? I believe He would rather she has it the reverse order (Revelations 3:17). Let us help prevent our workers from quitting whenever we can do it. 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.