Acknowledgement of Virtue is Right

Baptist Daily Devotional
Jul 23
3 min read

Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 23 2025 | Acts 13:1-5

KEY VERSE: “When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” Acts 13:5 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Our text for today shows how clearly God spoke by the Holy Spirit for the setting apart of Barnabas and Saul for the missionary task. In the second part of verse 5, we read that “John was with them as their helper.” (NIV)

This John was not mentioned in the divine directive to the Church, but Barnabas and Saul chose to take him along. John has been mentioned a few verses earlier: “When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. Acts 12:25 (NIV).

For all intents and purposes, it is clear that John Mark was a useful companion to the apostolic team, and the text for today emphasises his supportive ministry to Barnabas and Saul.

It is interesting that Scripture makes room to acknowledge that John Mark played this useful role to those upon whom hands were laid by divine direction. For many people, John Mark comes to mind only as a source of serious division between Barnabas and Saul; “³⁷Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.” Acts 15:37-40 (NIV).

Granted that John Mark became a source of trouble to the Apostles, but his usefulness to the ministry was acknowledged. Whatever the motivation for his leaving the missionary team, as we read above, John Mark was so helpful that the Apostle Paul would later say to Timothy, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Tim 4:11 (NIV).

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Sometimes we struggle with the rough sides of people, and in the process, we are tempted to deliberately forget the good things in them that God has used to bless us. We must overcome the wholesale blacklisting of individuals, especially within the Church, and acknowledge their positive contributions where they are due.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, please help me to be generous when I measure others by my experience of them. Help me, Lord, to avoid confusing people by behaviour that makes them want to write me off. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 204: Ecclesiastes 9-10 - Life and Its Uncertainties

DAILY word study: HELPER The Greek word for “helper” in Acts 13:5 is hypēretēs, which means an assistant or subordinate officer. It originally referred to an under-rower on a ship—someone who worked under the direction of a captain.

John Mark wasn’t the main preacher, but he was essential. Scripture uses hypēretēs to highlight humble support roles, including those who served alongside Paul (see Acts 26:16). This word reminds us that support roles are not second-class in God's mission.

Reflect on this:

You don’t need to be the one holding the microphone to be impactful. God sees every hand that helps carry the mission forward.