Holy Grit — Battling Sickness with Compassion - Friday
Today’s Verse
Acts 9:27
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. (NIV)
One of my favorite stories of friendship from the Bible comes from the book of Acts. Acts covers the rise of the early church as the disciples and apostles are sent out to spread the good news of Jesus after His ascension. One of the most notable characters from this book (who happened to write many, many, many of the other books of the Bible) is Paul. But there wouldn’t be Paul if there first hadn’t been Barnabas.
Barnabas (whose real name is actually Joseph—the more you know) joined the believers of Christ early in their ministry after the Holy Spirit descended, and Jesus went back to heaven. He was literally given his nickname, Barnabas, because he was such an excellent encourager of the new believers in the faith. Now, this son of encouragement was of Jewish heritage and a Cypriot Levite—meaning he was of the Jewish tribe of Levi and from the geographical realm of Cyprus. He had great lineage and an even greater attitude. What a guy!
Barnabas’ first major moment in the spotlight comes when he jumps to the defense of this new guy trying to infiltrate the ranks of the believers. But get this—this new guy? Yeah, he used to be the main persecutor of the Christian faith. And now, guess what? He’s coming around here saying he’s changed and that he’s on our side now. Yeah, right. We all saw what you did, Saul! You can’t trick us.
While other believers turned away with skepticism, Barnabas embraced Saul. He went out on a limb for him and vouched that he really was a changed man—a recipient of the kind of change that only Jesus can bring. Without Barnabas, Paul probably would have had a much more challenging time beginning his ministry for Christ. Paul and Barnabas became good friends and traveled on multiple missionary journeys together.
Barnabas used his unique gifts from God to soften the hearts of the apostles and help them turn from their sinful exclusivity of Saul. These apostles were suffering from sickness of the heart. They had hardened their hearts toward Saul and refused to see the amazing work that had begun in him by the Holy Spirit. Barnabas could see it. And he made sure everyone else could, too. Paul and Barnabas continued in this same vein for much of their ministry as they avidly preached for the inclusion of the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to the Christian faith without burdening them with traditional Jewish customs.
REFLECTION
Sickness of the heart can creep in when we least expect it. The symptoms are subtle; you may not even notice you are suffering at first. So do a wellness check today. Are you harboring animosity toward someone? Have you excluded someone in the past that the LORD is calling you to include? Is your heart soft and pliable and ready to receive whatever Jesus may bring to you? Pray today that Jesus will open your heart to those around you and that you may spread His love.