«For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith» (Acts 11:24).
ONLY RARELY DOES A NICKNAME HIGHLIGHT AN ATTRIBUTE instead of emphasizing a defect, but that was exactly what happened in the case of a Levite born in Cyprus: his actual name was Joseph, but everyone called him Barnabas: «Son of consolation. »
The first time we hear of him in the New Testament, he is selling a property to help those who were in need at the church in Jerusalem. What an example of generosity! We do not know if he had several properties and donated one of them. But, in any case, how many people are willing to sell a property just to help others? But that was the way Joseph, that is Barnabas, was.
Then we see him interceding before the Christians in Jerusalem to set aside their fears and accept Saul of Tarsus as a brother in Christ. That was no easy task because, as we know, Saul had terrorized the churches before his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. What did Barnabas do to help him? «Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus» (Acts 9:27). No wonder Barnabas was called «Son of consolation!»
But Barnabas’s service did not end there. Later on we read about the wonderful way in which God prospered the work of preaching in Antioch. «The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord» (Acts 11:21). Whom did the church leaders send to help? You guessed it! Barnabas (see Acts 11:19-23).
Finally, we find Barnabas in a complex situation: there is a disagreement between him and Paul about whether to give young Mark a second chance. During their first missionary journey, Mark had deserted them (see Acts 13:13). Now the two preachers were about to go on a second missionary journey. Who do you think suggested giving young Mark a second chance? You also guessed it! Barnabas.
Thanks to that «second chance,» today we have the Gospel According to Mark. And—how interesting!—thanks to that second chance the apostle Paul himself, while awaiting his martyrdom in a Roman prison, wrote to Timothy: «Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry» (2 Timothy 4:11).
Now we understand why, when mentioning Barnabas, the Scriptures say he «was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith» (Acts 11:24). It is definitely better to be good than to be great!
Dear Father, please make me a good person, filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. Like the Lord Jesus, I want to live, not to be served, but to serve others.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
