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"Son of Encouragement"
He is one of the most interesting characters in the New Testament. I’d like to have known him. His name was “Joseph,” but because of his genuine spirit and appealing personality, he came to be known as Barnabas, son of encouragement (Acts 4:36).
How did he look? What was his smile like? How did he turn his head, wave his hand, roll his eyes?
I don’t how tall he was, what kind of voice he had, how he looked when he walked, or what his hands looked liked when he gestured.
But I know some things about him just because of what they called him.
He likely had a pleasant look about him. He probably radiated a sense of self confidence–not braggadocio, mind, you, but a kind of humble self-assuredness.
He was articulate; he became a fine gospel preacher, made defenses for the cause of Christ (Acts 15). He was not timid about what he believed. He believed what he said and said what he believed.
While I think he had confident spirit, there was a humility about him. He never seemed bothered by the fact that “Barnabas and Saul” became “Paul and Barnabas” as Luke recorded their work together in the book of Acts.
His confidence in what he considered to be right is demonstrated in his unwillingness to give in to Paul regarding the use of his kinsman, John Mark (Acts 15:36-40).
Barnabas had a generous spirit, even sold his property in order to provide for others (Acts 4:36-37).
He had his faults, like us. He was one time influenced by Peter, to go in the wrong direction (Gal. 2:13).
But most of all, Barnabas was an encourager. It was his mission to edify and implore, to exhort and inspire.
Encouragement does the same for folks today as it did when Barnabas used it.
First of all it brings courage to those who need it, courage to do better, to press past the difficulties.
Encouragement instills confidence. It can cause a timid person to do it anyway, make his hesitation turn to determination.
Encouragement buoys hope. It helps us get a glimpse of the higher things God has prepared for the faithful.
Encouragement sharpens perspective. By encouraging the important, it shows helps us see more clearly.
Barnabas. Son of encouragement. Don’t you like him? I do. Be a Barnabas. Be like him.
