Learning from Barnabas

I have been learning a lot from Mr. Barnabas here lately.
The first mention in the Bible of Barnabas was in Acts 4:32-37. He was a man that made a huge impact on the people around him. His life was an encouragement to people. Barnabas real name was Joseph, but was given the nickname "Barnabas" as a product of his character. Barnabas means "Son of Encouragement." How cool is that to be known for your encouragement?? To be a blessing to people because of how you encourage & spur them on?? That would be incredible!

Barnabas also played a vital role in the early church. His ministry was a ministry that gave birth to others. Love this too. It wasn't about him or how he could gain the spot light, but it was about God & moving people closer to God through his encouragement & life. Again, wow, I love that.

This is also really cool to see, in Acts 9:19-30 we see one instance of Barnabas in action:
19 Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Before this account in the Bible, Saul (who later is named Paul) was, to put it mildly, really hateful toward Christ Followers before coming to Christ. I just love this picture of how Barnabas, knowing how mean Saul used to be, still put stock in Saul. He saw his potential & saw what others didn't see because of the Holy Spirit in him. He stood up for Saul when the other apostles did not want to welcome him in. They would have missed the vital ministry of Saul had it not been for Barnabas. In fact, who knows where Paul would have ended it up had it not been for Barnabas & his encouragement of him.

Barnabas life spoke more than his words.
Lets repeat that.
Barnabas life spoke more than his words. wow. This knocks me on my knees.

Later in Acts (Acts 15:36-40) we see that Saul & Barnabas had a parting of ways because kind of the same situation that Paul was in. Barnabas wanted to take (John) Mark on their missionary journey but Paul (Saul), did not think it was wise to take him because for unknown reason Mark had deserted them earlier in Pamphylia. But in true Barnabas fashion, he stuck up for (John) Mark & stood with him. Saul was too impatient to see the potential in Mark & walk with him to maturity. But not Barnabas. He walked with him & encouraged him.

Barnabas was drawn to people he could encourage & he was vital to the body of Christ. His focus was on what God had called him to do. Barnabas at different times with Paul & Mark kept these two men going in their ministry when either might have failed. The Bible talks little about Barnabas preaching & teaching ability, but speaks volumes about his character.

By making himself available to touch one man, Barnabas was having an impact on the wider body of Christ. He brought the calling out of Saul. Paul's ministry was a product of Barnabas faithfulness and encouragement.
What a cool guy! I can't wait to meet him one day.