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Mark and Demas, December 9
Colossians 4:7-14
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
.
Among Paul’s assistants at Rome were many of his former companions and
fellow workers. Luke, “the beloved physician,” ... was with him still.... Demas
and Mark were also with him....
Since the earlier years of his profession of faith, Mark’s Christian experience
had deepened. As he had studied more closely the life and death of Christ he had
obtained clearer views of the Saviour’s mission, its toils and conflicts. Reading
in the scars in Christ’s hands and feet the marks of His service for humanity,
and the length to which self-abnegation leads to save the lost and perishing,
Mark had become willing to follow the Master in the path of self-sacrifice. Now,
sharing the lot of Paul the prisoner, he understood better than ever before that it
is infinite gain to win Christ, infinite loss to win the world and lose the soul for
whose redemption the blood of Christ was shed. In the face of severe trial and
adversity, Mark continued steadfast, a wise and beloved helper of the apostle.
Demas, steadfast for a time, afterward forsook the cause of Christ. In refer-
ring to this, Paul wrote, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present
world” (
2 Timothy 4:10
). For worldly gain, Demas bartered every high and
noble consideration. How shortsighted the exchange! Possessing only worldly
wealth or honor, Demas was poor indeed, however much he might proudly call
his own; while Mark, choosing to suffer for Christ’s sake, possessed eternal
riches, being accounted in heaven an heir of God and a joint heir with His Son
If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly
world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of
the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose their power as we contemplate
the glories of that better land so soon to be our home. Beside the loveliness of
Christ, all earthly attractions will seem of little worth
[350]
18
Ibid,. 454, 455
.
19
The Sanctified Life, 91
.
364