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Have you been on the side of someone when many people seem to be against him for good reasons? Saul was that someone, known for his fervent persecution of those “who belonged to the Way” before his conversion. However, after his conversion all the “Lord’s disciples” were still afraid of him. We can understand why most disciples would be skeptical about Saul then. Yet out of all this, Joseph Barnabas came to his side. He heard about Saul’s conversion. He supported him and Saul was accepted by the early Church leaders. Saul (“also called Paul”) became one of the greatest ministers/ missionary of the Lord.
Joseph Barnabas “Son of Encouragement”, a Levite from Cyprus, was a man described in the Bible as, “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24). He was given the gift of special wisdom and insight – spiritual discernment, the ability to distinguish between wise caution and blind fear. The support he gave to a new believer in the Lord enabled both of them to open the Mediterranean world to the Gospel of Jesus Christ during their missionary trips together. However, the work of Barnabas did not end just with Paul. Later, when Paul and Barnabas disagreed and parted ways over John Mark’s previous failing (Acts 15:39-41), Barnabas once again demonstrated spiritual wisdom and interceded wisely. John Mark later became helpful to Paul in his ministry (2 Tim. 4:11b) and also the author of Mark’s Gospel. Encouragement and exhortation seem to ooze out of Barnabas’ blood.
What lessons can we today derive from this “Son of Encouragement”? He visualized the great work that God planned for Paul, put the past behind and looked forward to the future. We need Barnabas’ among us today – people who overlook the faults in others and lovingly worked together with care and compassion. Barnabas understood that as believers we do fail from time to time. With patience and compassion, he saw the potential in John Mark and encouraged him to fulfill his potential. Paul and Barnabas did not let their conflict distract them from their desire to spread the Gospel. They focused on doing the will of God. We need more Christians like Barnabas among us, always willing to help others and patiently work with others. These people look beyond others’ faults and strive for the building up of Christians as “Sons of Encouragement”?
