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I am using readings from the 49 Week Bible Challenge as the basis for these devotions. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are Acts 13:1-19; Numbers 32; 33; 34.
Acts 13:13-19
Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.
Mark’s introduction here in Acts 13 is brief and somewhat clouded since his appearance here mentions only that he was along to help Paul and Barnabas, but that he soon left them and returned to Jerusalem.
Perhaps he was simply afraid. He had seen some mighty acts of God through Paul. The magician at Paphos confronted by Paul. He saw the magician blinded as a punishment for trying to turn the procouncil away from the faith. Mark may not have been ready for a journey as long and arduous as lay before this missionary band. Perhaps he just felt the need to return to Jerusalem.
In any case, Mark appears for only a brief few verses here. You might think that he is a footnote in the story of God and his mission. A fuller look at the accounts in Acts as well as other passages of Scripture tells us a different story. He may not be a take-the-hill missionary like Paul. But he has his place, and offers us a look into the work of God in the hearts of people.
It is quite likely that the the rich young ruler in the Gospel of Mark 10:17-22 and the young man who ran away naked at Jesus’ arrest (Mark 14:51-52) is one and the same – and the author of the Gospel of Mark. It is also very likely that this is the same person as is called John (Mark) who is introduced here in Acts 13. John is introduced as “John whose other name was Mark,” in Acts 12:12. This young man gets around!
This makes me think of how God works in people’s lives. We may not be a dramatic example of God’s redemption and renewal. But we might be more of that than we know.
I have to admit that I was dramatically changed by God in my early college years. I was changed from a failed real estate broker and college dropout to a motivated student and seminary graduate. Some who knew me then might wonder if it’s all true. Others don’t really know how far I’ve come – or better yet, how far God has brought me.
Mark will show up again later in Acts. We will see how two people – both faithful followers of Jesus – can have different opinions about his part in God’s mission. But the constant in all this is God’s faithfulness, and his desire to work in people’s lives – rich young rulers and frightened young men alike.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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