Every Paul Needs A Barnabas

Exodus 33; Exodus 34; Psalm 16; Acts 9
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Scripture

Acts 9

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 Christ.

23 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired 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.

Observation

God prepared Saul to become Paul but He also prepared Barnabas to stand up for Paul. There would have been no ministry of Paul without the support of Barnabas. I would have liked to have met Barnabas and one day I will get that opportunity. But for now I have to settle for what I can read about him and his ministry with Paul.

Barnabas’ name, which means “Son of Encouragement”, sure fits him perfectly. When the duo start out working together they are mentioned as Barnabas and Paul, but as their ministry grows suddenly there is a shift in prominence and Luke writes about Paul and Barnabas.

In fact, Barnabas is such an encourager that it ends up causing a real problem between he and Paul over taking John Mark on a second missionary journey with them. Barnabas saw the potential in John Mark while Paul saw only his past failure. Barnabas was going to help John Mark no matter what and that decision cost him a place on Paul’s mission team.

We will follow the ministry of Barnabas as we go through the book of Acts. He is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. I love to encourage people and see them serving successfully.

Application

I will look for an up and coming “Paul” that needs the encouragement of a “Barnabas”.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be an encouragement to people today. Help me to encourage people to become all that you have meant for them to become. Thank you for our church family. It was a great day of worship yesterday. We are blessed.

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