The Grands Letter (2Tim/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on July 5, 2021 6:42 am (CST)Dear Grands,
2 Timothy 4:9-11, “Make every effort to come to me soon;
10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”
What do you do when you find yourself in need help? You call for someone to help you, of course. Yet, if you are in the least of doubt that others will view your situation as seriously as you do, you emphasize your need by telling how bereft you are of helpers.
A lot of situations demand the help of capable, willing persons. Precisely what Paul needed, we are not told. We are simply left with the knowledge that there was more to do than could be done by the few helpers Paul had. The situation was critical. What if the only one who is available to help is someone who once let you down? Have you ever changed your mind about someone like that?
Barnabas had long been a companion of Paul. They had travelled through many areas, ministering together in the Gospel of Christ. Previously, John Mark had gone with them, but for some reason, he gave up and left them to carry on alone. Barnabas now wanted Mark to rejoin them in ministry, but Paul was absolutely opposed!
All of that disagreement occurred some years previously; Paul has now changed his mind. “Pick up Mark and bring him with you,” Paul says, “for he is useful to me for service.”
You may have experienced disappointment with someone in the past. You have changed; maybe that person has changed, too. The LORD has a way of changing the minds of His servants and bringing them together once again. Don’t let past experiences ruin your future! Let the experience of Paul and Mark speak to your life. Time and forgiveness are fantastic transformers. We just have to let them work.
Heartily in Christ Jesus,
(Dado III)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America
“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom
