“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated ‘Son of Encouragement)…” – Acts 4:36

It was not a common practice in the Early Church for people’s names to be changed when they became Christians. Barnabas was a unique case.

A levite from Cyprus, his original name was Joses. But the apostles renamed him Barnabas because they saw something special in his character.

He was so good at encouraging others that they baptized him ‘son of encouragement.’

In a world where anxiety, fear, depression, self-doubt, stress, apprehension and uncertainty, are pulling at people in every direction, the need for the ministry of encouragement has never been more critical. 

Barnabas saw the good in all people. In Acts 11:24, we get a glimpse of some of his character traits.

It says; “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

A ‘good man’ is a man who, instead of working ill to his neighbor, acts beneficially towards him. Barnabas was inspired by the Holy Spirit to be a good man and to have faith in God for people.

This was most noticeable in the way he dealt with Saul who became the apostle Paul.

Following his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul, who previously persecuted the Church, came to join the fellow believers in Jerusalem.

However, no one could trust him; instead, everyone feared to allow him anywhere near the believers.

The apostles were suspicious of him, and rightly so. Enter the ‘son of encouragement.’

Acts 9:27 says that Barnabas brought Paul to the apostles and vouched for him.

He saw something great in him and held him by the hand as a true believer who had a momentous future in the kingdom of God.

Shortly afterwards, persecution arose and Paul was forced to flee to Tarsus, his home city. Nothing was heard of him for years, and very few probably cared.

Enter the ‘son of encouragement’ once again. The Holy Spirit reminded Barnabas of Paul.

Where was he? What was he up to? Was he fine and still standing strong in the Lord? The Bible says in Acts 11:25-26 that Barnabas set off for Tarsus to “search for Paul.”

There are enough agents of discouragement in our world today; like Barnabas, God is calling you and me today to be ‘sons/daughters of encouragement.’

He looked for him for days until he found him. Barnabas persuaded Paul to come with him to serve with the Church in Antioch, where he became his mentor in the ministry. 

In light of what Paul later became, what if the Holy Spirit had not led Barnabas to look out for him?

Indeed, even when Paul’s star started shining much brighter than that of Barnabas, the ‘son of encouragement’ didn’t mind. He continued serving God with him faithfully.

Barnabas had the unique ministry of being a promoter of other people. He was a mentor, a supporter, a coach, a lifter of people; an intercessor!

He never wished to miss an opportunity to encourage and add value to others.

Later, when Barnabas and Paul were commissioned by the Antioch Church for the first missionary journey, they were accompanied by John Mark.

However, Mark’s premature departure from the mission field when the going became tough did not impress Paul (see Acts 15:37–39). Paul vehemently refused to go with him again on the second missionary journey.

So, how would the ‘son of encouragement’ handle this delicate situation?

True to his name, Barnabas decided that he would still take a chance on John Mark, though it would not go down well with his friend Paul.

As Paul opted to go with Silas instead, Barnabas took Mark under his wing as his mentor.

A few years later, Mark had become so good that Paul complimented him as a “fellow worker” (see Colossians 4:10 – 11), so much that he instructed Timothy; “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11)

Are you an encourager? Can we take a chance and a second chance on people? Do we look beyond the present to see future potential in people and encourage them to harness it?

There are enough agents of discouragement in our world today; like Barnabas, God is calling you and me today to be ‘sons/daughters of encouragement.’

Prayer:                                                        

Almighty God, make me a faithful ‘son of encouragement’ to whoever crosses my path. Help me to spot spiritual potential in others and to hold as many people as possible by the hand. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!