"And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.'  And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also.  But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.  And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.  But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.  And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."

If you look closely, you can see Barnabas shine.

Paul and Barnabas have a disagreement here.  Paul does not want to bring John Mark along with them on the journey to encourage the churches.  Apparently there was a falling out at some point and John Mark bailed out.  Paul has given up on him.

Barnabas does not seem to know the meaning of the word.  He continues to invest in John Mark, just as he continued to invest in Paul.

We will see John Mark again, but right now we should focus on the power of loving someone.  That investment is often difficult - but always worth it.

Today, discipleship is the investment that the people of God need.