Acts 9:26-30

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Damascus couldn’t handle Saul, maybe Jerusalem can…or that is what they thought. Again his life spoke louder than his message, thus he was met with resistance. No one believed him. No one except Barnabas…

The very name Barnabas means “son of encouragement” and that is exactly what Saul finds in this new found friend. He finds safety, encouragement, and a friendship that would impact his life far greater than he would even know. You’ve got to kind of wonder if Saul would have even made it if it weren’t for Barnabas. The fear of Saul and his reputation were still fresh in the hearts of many…we can plainly see that. Barnabas didn’t have to help Saul…but this act of encouragement and faith provided the link between Saul and the fulfillment of his calling.

Saul could have been overlooked. He could have been passed over…but Barnabas was keeping watch. How many people need a modern-day Barnabas to come alongside them to give them a ministry opportunity? How many people sit rejected on the sidelines because of a failure? Maybe their life was so dark that their conversion is still shadowed. Where is the brother or sister in the calling of a first-century Barnabas to look for the forgotten, to believe in the divine call, to hope for the best?

What the church needs today is Barnabas-minded people! People are abandoning the call of personal evangelism today. Some are suffering sitting in the shadows of doubt or inadequacy. This challenge is before us…to be a Barnabas! Look around…see who is being overlooked, who is being rejected and neglected and bring them encouragement today!

Jeremiah 22:16

"He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?"Declares the LORD…

Whose cause are you pleading…if it’s your own…that might be why no one is following you! Look for those that are afflicted and have needs. Plead their case. Pursue them...and then mentor them! That is what Barnabas did. He encouraged a discouraged Saul.