"The Wrong Guy?"

Today’s reading - Acts 11:23-24 (NIV): 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

The good news is being preached to the Gentiles (non-Jews that did not worship God) and many are becoming believers. This was threatening to those that remained in Jerusalem. They were fearful of what they could not see or imagine or even try to listen or understand. The Jews were not happy and sent Barnabas to see just what the heck is going on.

Ah Ha, they sent the wrong guy – Barnabas. The scripture is telling us that Barnabas saw the evidence of the grace of God and was glad and encouraged them to remain true. So was he the wrong guy? Maybe for those in Jerusalem, but not for me and not for you.

The journey Barnabas made to Antioch was for God. The one God Yahweh, the same God the Jews worshipped. I can’t help but wonder why & how their hearts were so hard; so hard they could not let Love inside of them. Without love, it would be impossible to accept the Holy Spirit and to believe in Grace.

Barnabas is the man! He had the heart of an encourager! We need more encouragers in life. Is that a gift that you practice? It certainly can be!

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com