Second Chances

In golf, it’s called a “Mulligan”.  It’s a second chance to hit a shot correctly; a “do-over”.  Are you getting many Mulligans in your life?  For most of us, when we make a mistake folks aren’t exactly lining up to say, “Go ahead and try again.  Maybe you’ll make the correct life-choice next time!”  “So what if you failed miserably.  I forgive you!  Go back and tee it up and try again!”  If only it worked like that with people.  Gratefully, it does work like that with God.

The roster of those to whom God gave second chances reads like a Who’s Who of Bible champions:  David, who defeated Goliath and then later committed adultery and murder, but still found forgiveness to lead Israel; Mary Magdalene, who was a prostitute who met Jesus and became a dedicated follower of His; and Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, who was complicit in the murders of early Christians, yet became God’s voice to the Gentiles. 

But I want to focus on a lesser known Mulligan – this one for a young man named, John Mark.  Young and impetuous, John Mark is most likely the fellow described in Mark 14:51-52 who was right in the mix of things when Jesus was arrested just outside the Garden of Gethsemane.  He managed to get his cousin, Barnabas, and Paul to take him along as their assistant when they set out to spread the Gospel of Christ (Acts 12:25).  Unfortunately, they didn’t get very far before John Mark abandoned ship.  He left them high and dry and returned home (Acts 13:13).  Can you just imagine the criticism?  Paul saying to Barnabas, “I told you he wasn’t ready for this.  What a disappointment!  You should have never asked me to bother with someone who just wasn’t ready.” 

Well, Barnabas’ name means “son of encouragement”, so you knew John Mark might get another chance.  Barnabas tried to get Paul to take John Mark along on their next trip, but Paul was stubborn and the disagreement even split up the missionary team.  Paul went one way with his new partner, Silas, and Barnabas took John Mark under his wing and headed out in a different direction.  God has a way of using those who are willing to provide those second chances we need.  Barnabas was that guy for John Mark. 

So is that it?  It’s never that simple or boring with God.  When God gives second chances, they really count for something.  Paul writes later in the New Testament:

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him) (Colossians 4:10)

Well, what have we here?  This is John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, being mentioned by Paul as being present with him.  But where are they?  John Mark is by Paul’s side while he is captive in a Roman prison.  Not bad for a second chance guy.  Still right in the middle of the action.  But there’s more!  There always is with God.  Years later, Paul wrote to Timothy:

Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.  (2 Timothy 4:11)

We can see the affection Paul has for John Mark.  The young, impetuous boy has become a man – a man of God.  That’s what second chances do for us. 

But beware!  God isn’t like your friends, or your family, or your co-workers.  Perhaps you’re lucky if you have a second-chance character in your life, like Barnabas.  But most folks are like those you’ve encountered.  Easily hurt and not very forgiving.  Easily disappointed and not interested in wasting time trying to build you into the person you could be.  Since you know what doesn’t work, why not try to be a Barnabas for someone that’s broken the rules of life?  See what a difference you can make.  It’s worth it, especially in the eyes of the “God of second chances”.  Because at some point, John Mark put pen to papyrus and wrote the words we revere as the gospel of Mark – the second book of the New Testament.  When you do get a Mulligan, be like John Mark.  Be sure to hit it straight and true.

Jacob