After Paul’s conversion to Christianity, he returned to Jerusalem assuming that he could join in the work of the Apostles there. Understandably they were skeptical of his intentions and refused to let him in.
One of the guys who was considered to be among the disciples was Joseph of Cyprus or Barnabas (which means encourager). He came across Paul and listened to his most amazing story. Convinced that Paul’s conversion was real, Barnabas took him personally to meet all the boys. The two formed a strong and wonderful bond and went on to spend many years spreading the Gospel together.
Paul’s first missionary journey is recorded in Acts chapters 13 and 14. The trip, which covered two years, took Paul and Barnabas from Antioch to Galatia and back again, where they spread the Gospel along the way. John Mark, cousin to Barnabas, initially set out with them, only getting as far as Pamphylia before deciding to return home.
About a year later, Paul, Barnabas and Silas prepared for another lengthy journey. This time John Mark, with Barnabas’ encouragement, wanted to travel with them again. Paul’s opposition was so strong that he and Barnabas ended up going separate ways over it — Silas and Paul went to Syria and Cilicia while John Mark and Barnabas went to Cyprus.
A third missionary journey lasting four years took Paul from Antioch to Ephesus to Philippi to Thessalonica to Corinth and on to Jerusalem. Apparently John Mark, Barnabas and Paul reconciled their differences as is reflected in II Timothy 4:11, I Corinthians 9:6 and Colossians 4:10. (“My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.”)
Paul found a friend and co-laborer in Barnabas when he initially went back to Jerusalem. They were very much like us — they agreed on some things and not on others. But the fact that Paul heartily encouraged the church in Colossae to receive Mark indicates that things were eventually all good between them.
Are there any people in your life that you need to encourage?
Are there any people with whom you need to reconcile?
LORD, Thank you for the encouragers in our lives. Thank you for working through us and in spite of us. May we encourage freely and take the first step to making things right when necessary.
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