After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. Acts 15:36-38 NASB
Barnabas was the kind of person who was always willing to give a guy a second chance. His real name was Joseph, but everyone called him Barnabas which means son of encouragement. When passing through Cyprus on their first missionary journey, Barnabas’ cousin Mark had joined in to assist Paul & Barnabas, but after sailing on to Pamphylia with them, he deserted them and went back home. Barnabas did not hold that against him, he was totally ready to give him another chance when they decided to head back out on their second journey. We all need people like Barnabas in our lives, don’t we, people who will give us the benefit of the doubt, seeing our potential rather than our past mistakes?
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
This is the kind of love Barnabas demonstrated, even if it meant he had to stand alone.
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. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:39-41 NIV
I love the relevance of the Bible. They didn’t work out the disagreement, they parted ways. That’s real life, isn’t it? People, even strong Christians, don’t always see eye to eye. They say things they shouldn’t. They get angry, and sometimes they part ways over what they feel, at the time, are irreconcilable differences. Paul chose a new partner in ministry and went on in the work of the Lord. Barnabas took his cousin and sailed back home. What he did with Mark, we’re not told, but you can be sure Barnabas took the time to invest in this young believer. He had not given up on him when he deserted the work in Pamphylia, and I believe it’s safe to assume his focus at this point was to build Mark’s faith and mentor him in ministry. Was Barnabas successful? Check out what Paul included in his letter to Timothy years later:
“Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11 NIV
Look back at the first time Barnabas and Paul are mentioned together and you’ll find that Paul too benefited from the willingness of Barnabas to disregard the past and believe in the transforming power of God:
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. 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. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. Acts 9:26-28 NIV
Remember, before believing in Jesus, Paul was intent on persecuting Christians. After his conversion to Christ, the other apostles didn’t trust him, and you really can’t blame them. He had given hearty approval to the stoning of Stephen, had voiced murderous threats toward the disciples, and was on his way to imprison believers in Damascus.
How could anyone experience such a dramatic change? Only by the grace of God! We serve a God who specializes in transformation. No one is lost and beyond is ability to save! Perhaps you’re reading this and have not yet experienced the God’s power to change and remake your life. Maybe you have a interest in Christianity, but others have dismissed you because of your choices up to this point. If that’s the case, know this, God has not given up on you, in fact He loves you. He knows the pain you’ve endured as a result of your choices and He wants to give you new life! You have the opportunity, in Christ, to get a fresh start. He can make your life count. Look what he did in the life of the apostle Paul. If you want more information on how to pursue a relationship with Christ, email me at gripthesword@gmail.com.
Or maybe you’re reading this and you walk with God, but you’ve given up on someone else. Remember the gospel is a story of redemption. I encourage you to take a minute and reread the picture of love God gives us in 1 Corinthians 13. Ask the Lord to help you see others as He sees them. The world needs more Christians like Barnabas.