The Healing Jesus: An Advent Devotional to Encourage Anybody and EverybodySample

BARNABAS: THE ONE WHO WAS ENCOURAGING

My name is Barnabus, and I'm somewhat of an old soul. Even as a young man, I liked a slower pace, the simple things, and one-on-one time with people. I guess encouragement is just what comes naturally to me.

When Paul decided to become a Christian after persecuting Christians, no one was willing to step forward on his behalf. It broke my heart. I saw potential in this young man who had a crazy encounter with Jesus. So, I came forward and saved him for the cause of Christ. But this guy was passionate! Oh boy!

This started a decades-long friendship between us. After Paul and I got paired up and commissioned by the church in Jerusalem to go to the Gentiles, I saw how I couldn't have done it without his boldness and encouragement. The people in the body of Christ need each other's strengths. Paul's bold manner might have gotten us in hot water sometimes, but it served me well later.

Paul's boldness snapped me out of a moment when I fell away from the truth; I was scared when I saw our traditions being changed, ignored, or misunderstood. I didn't want to eat with Gentile Christians. What a fool I was! And I call myself encouraging. I am ashamed of that. Paul was right. It is by faith and faith alone. We needed each other's honest words.

Paul kept us humble. He asked people not to idolize us. He insisted we were men, just like them. He refused the honor or glory and insisted it all be God alone.

Yes, we had a fallout over John Mark. I focused on the potential of John Mark, and Paul seemed to focus on the most essential cause of the gospel. He wanted to honor the mission we were on.

Paul was so focused on the gospel that people's feelings didn't matter much. It's never easy when you are not getting along with your best friend. When I'm in the middle of a conflict with someone else, I remind myself that we both can be comforted by Jesus.

When we choose to trust and encourage each other, we are a better reflection of Jesus to the world.

Jesus is healing through words of encouragement.

Questions for Talk it Over:

1. How did Barnabas defend Paul?

2. What is an area in your life that you would like to hear some words of encouragement?

3. How has Jesus spoken to you through someone's words of encouragement?