COLOSSIANS 4:10

“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);”

Have you ever made up with an old friend? Once you make up, you both often realize how silly your dispute was in the beginning. There’s an old song that says, “Making up is hard to do.” Well, it is if we allow our flesh to stand in the way. But if we allow the Spirit of God to rule us, we will be quick to reconcile.

Paul mentions a couple of people who are with him during this imprisonment. He directly calls Aristarchus “my fellow prisoner.” He doesn’t call Mark a fellow prisoner, so he must have been free to leave and go to Colossae. It is noteworthy that Paul asks specifically for Mark to be welcomed by the church there. He was probably afraid they may have heard about the rift between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15) over Mark and hold that against him. Paul is giving Mark an introductory letter to the church there with his full confidence.

APPLICATION

Mark had undoubtedly matured and become, once again, a trusted partner in ministry with Paul. Mark must have also lost some of his fear of persecution (some think this was the reason he deserted Paul earlier). Why else would he have been there with Paul during this imprisonment? Perhaps Mark had been rebuilding his relationship with Paul since that first breach.

We are told in Ephesians 4:1-3, “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Paul was a peacemaker. He had made peace with Mark. Is there someone you need to make peace with?

Maybe you’re saying, Well, it’s been too long. They would never forgive me now.” Wrong. We don’t know how long it took Paul and Mark to make up, but they did. It may have been months or years. The time doesn’t matter. Do it today. At least try. You may be spurned by that person. If so, forgive them anyway. Pray for them daily. Do all you can to reconcile and then leave the rest with God.

Father, help me to be a peace with all those around me.