Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
What do we learn here about Barnabas? Firstly, his real name was Joseph. Secondly, he was a Levite, that is that he had probably been part of the Jewish religious establishment. Thirdly, he was committed and generous enough to give significant financial support to the fledgeling Christian Church. And, fourthly, Barnabas was a nickname given him by the apostles, presumably because they saw him as somebody who encouraged others. What a wonderful way to have others see you!
We get a couple of glimpses of that elsewhere in Acts. When Saul/Paul first visited Jerusalem after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, nobody was prepared to trust him apart from Barnabas: 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. (Acts 9:27)
Later, while planning what would become known as Paul’s second missionary journey, Barnabas stayed firm in wanting to encourage John Mark: Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. (Acts 15:36-40)
In 2004, we were accepted onto a six week exchange with a minister from the United States. After being accepted we discovered that Karen was pregnant and was due to give birth two months before the start of the exchange. We thought we would have to pull out but I had a midwife and a GP in my congregations who encouraged us to go and settled most of the anxiety we were feeling. Had it not been for them we almost certainly wouldn’t have gone and would have missed out on a wonderful experience.
Sisters and brothers, we are all in this experience together. Sometimes we need to be receivers of encouragement. At other times, we need to be sons and daughters of encouragement for one another and, in doing so, we make real and visible the inner nature of God. We need to be people who can say ‘You can do it’ and then help smooth the way that makes it possible.
Prayer: Lord God, May I be an encourager; a giver of second chances; and a person who smooths the way for others. Amen.