Day 31 - Friends, Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God (Col 4:10-11)

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Colossians 4:10-11

As Paul continues his greetings, he introduces three more people with him who also send their greetings. The first is Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner. He is mentioned a few times in Acts. We learn he was a Thessalonian (Acts 20:4) and suffered along with Paul for his faith, perhaps even onboard with Paul when he was caught in a storm, without food for days and eventually shipwrecked (Acts 27).

So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. Acts 19:29

And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. Acts 27:2

Next, Paul mentions Mark, then Jesus who is called Justus. Paul tells us these are the only men of the circumcision amount his fellow workers, meaning these are the only three of Jewish descent, like himself.

I love that Mark is included in the greetings as a fellow worker with Paul. Mark was the source of sharp disagreement and eventual parting of ways between Paul and Barnabas, his close friend and companion on his first missionary journeys...

³⁶ And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ³⁷ Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:36-41

Barnabas wanted his cousin, Mark, to join them on their reunion tour of the cities they initially preached. Paul was adamantly opposed. Mark had deserted them on the first tour, why should they bring him along? Both were so convinced of their sides, they parted ways.

Initially it can feel discouraging and disappointing, but God was working in it all. Instead of sticking with Barnabas and Mark, Paul took Silas and eventually met and mentored Timothy and others. Relationships and friendships that might otherwise not have developed. And the Gospel was spread even further with Barnabas and crew in one direction, and Paul and crew in the other.

Neither was necessarily wrong, but they sharply disagreed and parted ways. The Bible talks so much about Christian unity and this feels like a perfect example of unity, even among disagreement. Both teams stayed on mission and Christianity grew as a result. Perhaps the gifts of encouragement Barnabas had were needed by Mark during this season, while Paul was ready to start mentoring others. Barnabas stuck with Paul when no one else would after his unlikely conversion. Perhaps this is what Mark needed after his ministry failure.

Regardless of what went down, now twelve years later Mark is with Paul. It was a temporary parting of ways, but not a forever split. And Paul now counts him as one who is a comfort to him. I wonder if Mark’s reputation was tarnished. Paul offers a side note for the Colossians to welcome Mark if he comes to them. Paul vouches for Mark. And this is the Mark who writes one of four of the Gospels!

Paul’s final greetings, upon which these few fall in the middle, are a beautiful example of friendship and working together on mission.  We need loyal friends who will stick by us, encourage us, carry burdens for us and with us, and possibly even step away temporarily when a new direction is needed.

I’m challenged to reflect on if I am this kind of friend…If I have these kinds of friends. And both ways it is my fault if I don’t and aren’t. Friendship takes closeness, time, vulnerability, sharing, living life with. I know I fall short in all these things. I’m selfish with my time. But I want to live in full Christian relationship and mission. And it means more than just acquaintances. It is strong Christian friendships where we build each other up, bear each other burdens, encourage and help refine one another. 

God, help me be this kind of friend. Help me open up and invest in these types of friendships with fellow workers for the kingdom of God. Help me be vulnerable enough to receive comfort from them and loving enough to give it to them.