The Quiet, Transforming Power of Encouragement

The Quiet, Transforming Power of Encouragement

As the Summer holidays arrive, I wanted to share a word of encouragement with you reflecting on the life and legacy of Barnabus.

Barnabus, originally named Joseph, plays a seemingly small but incredibly significant role in the life of the early church. We are first introduced to him in Acts 4, where he receives his new name as a “son of encouragement”. 

And how true he is to his name. 

When Saul first encounters Jesus and radically converts from a fierce persecutor of the church to a bold proclaimer of the gospel, the disciples were understandably skeptical of him. Reluctant to take him into their inner circles, it was Barnabus who dared to see the potential in him. At significant personal risk and investment, he vouches for him, takes him under his wing and trains him up in the way of Jesus to be a more famous and influential leader than he himself would ever be.  (Acts 9:26-27, Acts 11:25-26).

Forming a close partnership in the gospel, Barnabus and Paul go on to serve side by side for many years. Until, in Acts 15 they have a sharp disagreement and part ways. The reason for their fall out? Barnabus wants to bring a young disciple named John Mark with them on an important mission trip. Paul however refuses, on account of his poor track record. He’d let them down on a previous trip and Paul wasn’t prepared to take the risk of that happening again. Barnabus though, like the son of encouragement he is, clearly sees something in John Mark that Paul does not. So much so, that he’s prepared to part ways with his dear friend in order to continue to disciple, develop and draw out the God given gifts and potential in John Mark.

What happens to Barnabus after that point is hard to say, as the author of Acts follows Paul. The rest of the book narrates the signs, wonders and sufferings of his remarkable ministry. Barnabus however, fades off the pages of scripture. And yet, one small line in 2 Timothy implies that this remarkable leader had stayed true to his calling and name.

By the time Paul writes 2 Timothy, he is an old man awaiting execution in a Roman jail. Held as a common prisoner in a cold, damp cell - he asks for a few things to bring him comfort; his cloak, his scrolls and one person in particular, whom he describes as “helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). That person is none other than John Mark - the fickle character who he had left behind with Barnabus all those years ago, is now the person he wants by his side in his hour of need.

And this is what I find so moving and inspiring about Barnabus. 

Whilst he is only referenced in a handful of verses in scripture - without his life and legacy, 14 books in the new testament may have gone unwritten. Had he not welcomed, vouched for and taken Paul under his wing at a time when no one else would, who knows whether Paul would have gone on to be the prolific church planter and epistle writer we know him as today. Similarly, fickle John Mark who Paul writes off, goes on to become the writer of Mark’s gospel.

And so, as we enjoy the Summer holidays, why not take a moment to pause and consider - who are the Barnabus’ in your life? The people who inspire and encourage you to be all that God has called and created you to be? What opportunities might there be to reconnect with them over the summer break?

And secondly, who is God calling you to patiently disciple and develop, even if it feels risky and a bit costly? How might you encourage them this week?

For God knows, the world could certainly do with a few more sons and daughters of encouragement about the place! And only God knows where a commitment to unlock that potential might lead.