Title: Let’s Become Workers Like Barnabas
There are many people who have achieved great achievements but are not well known. Similarly, there are many people who did great things behind the scenes without a name or a light in the Bible.
For example, we all know Moses as the great leader of Exodus. There was a battle against Amalekites and when Moses’ hands were lifted and prayed, the people of Israel were winning and when his hands were downed, the Amalekites were winning. So, Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands, so they won’t come down (Exo 17:10-12). We know this victory was brought about because of Moses’ prayer but if there were no Aaron and Hur, then Moses’ prayer couldn’t take place and there would be no victory. So, Aaron and Hur don’t get enough credit or recognition.
When the people of Israel entered the land of Canaan, they conquered the land for 10 years and finally the land of Canaan was distributed to the tribes and the people of Israel. Caleb volunteered to go and fight for the hill country where Anakim were living. Anakim were considered the toughest and strongest people at that time and also they lived in the fortified cities in the hill country. If there was no Caleb, there would be no conquering of the land of Canaan (Jos 14:12).
During the time of King Ahasuerus, there was Haman, the Agagite who plotted to annihilate the entire people of Israel. By the grace of God, Esther was one of the queens and she put her life in danger to seek king’s grace and saved the people of Israel from the trouble (Est 4:13-14).
If there was no Mordecai, there wouldn’t be the return from Babylon and there wouldn’t be rebuilding of Zerubbabel’s temple. The feast of Purim could become a day that Israel disappeared from the history of mankind and God’s history of redemption could stop.
When Jesus was walking toward the Golgotha, He didn’t have enough strength to carry His cross and he fell many times. So, the Romans took Cyrene Simon from the crowd and made him carry Jesus’ cross (Mat 27:32).
Jesus was so weak physically at that time. Without Simon, Jesus could have died on the street without reaching Golgotha. If Jesus hadn’t reach Golgotha, there would be no 7 words on the cross.
Among such people, today we would like to present Barnabas and suggest becoming worker like him. Barnabas is as important as Apostle Paul and to some extend, Barnabas is more important than Apostle Paul.
- Who is Barnabas?
- His name is Joseph, a Levite (Acts 4:36)
He was born in the island called Cyprus but he was a Levite. After the Pentecost, Early Church began, and many started believing in Jesus Christ. However, Jesus’ was regarded as a potential threat to Roman Empire, also it was considered a cult from traditional Jews. Therefore, a big persecution fell upon them. One of the greatest incidents was the martyr of Deacon Stephen, which Saul, who later became Apostle Paul, was also one of them killing Stephen. Because of this great persecution, Christ believing Jews were scattered and forcibly moved to different places, which is called Diaspora. This was the reason why the Levite, Joseph was born and grew in a gentile country.
- He was called Barnabas (Acts 4:36)
Barnabas means a son of encouragement or a son of consolation. It means he was the one who advocated, encouraged, helped, comforted, supported and prayed behind others.
- He brought all his possession to the apostles (Acts 4:37)
Barnabas didn’t mind kneeling before the apostles to bring his offering. It shows how humble and focused he was. He only cared about the work of God.
(4) He became a Senior Pastor of the church in Antioch (Acts 11:22)
The church in Jerusalem is considered a mother church. So, as a church in Antioch needs a pastor in charge, they decided to send Barnabas there.
2. What was Barnabas’ greatest achievement?
(1) He became a middleman for Apostle Paul (Acts 9:26-27)
Barnabas saw what was in Apostle Paul without prejudice. The Bible says that he took hold of him and brought him to the apostles. According to the Greek text, it is not that he was asked by Apostle Paul or received any sorts of bribes. But it shows that Barnabas initiated this work of getting rid of misunderstanding and reconciliation.
(2) He invited Apostle Paul to the church in Antioch
Barnabas was the Senior Pastor, but he brought Apostle Paul and let him work freely at Antioch. He rather became a supporter of Apostle Paul. Barnabas didn’t care about people started liking Apostle Paul more than himself, so long as the church of Christ grows and revives.
(3) He became a middleman for Mark
Apostle Paul went for 3 mission trips. During the first mission trip, he took Mark, Barnabas’ cousin. However, because of the difficult situation of the mission trip, Mark ran away without telling anyone. Apostle Paul was really disappointed, but Barnabas asked Apostle Paul to reconsider and give him a second chance. This discussion got heated a lot that Paul and Barnabas separated from each other (Acts 15:37-40). After all the mission trips, when Apostle Paul was in prison, he asked Luke to bring Mark to him where Apostle Paul finally accepted and gave Mark a second chance (2 Tim 4:11)
Conclusion:
Barnabas was a good man (Acts 11:24)
Being recognized by God as a good man is the greatest compliment any believer can get. Being a good person is to have a open mind and being a middleman in the church.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 