One of the things I love in scripture is reading about people’s names changed.
Yeah I love those moments. However the name was changed or whenever there’s just something about the name change that is like an establishment of an identity.
One of the characters who got a new name was a Levite from the island of Cyprus. His name was Joseph – a good biblical name in itself, rich in heritage both before Christ and during His time. Yet the apostles called him something that lasted the rest of his mentions in scripture. No longer would he be known as Joseph.
He would be called Barnabas. That name means son of encouragement.
You can see how he got that reputation. His contribution to the financial and material needs of others was well known. That was encouraging. Then there was his work in legitimising the new convert Saul to the Jerusalem saints. That would have been encouraging for the guy that had been treated dubiously. Then there was the positive response he gave to the work going on in Antioch. That would have been great for a connection to be established between Jerusalem and legitimising the good work for the brethren in Antioch.
As if that wasn’t enough, this same guy goes looking for Saul of Tarsus to assist in the work in Antioch. That recognition of the work another brother can do would have been an uplift. When the Spirit calls for Barnabas and Saul to be commissioned on the work it would have been further encouraging for Saul, whose name is Paul, to be given the lead in the work.
A lot about the man formerly known as Joseph was about enabling and encouraging others. Through his generosity of resource and of spirit, others received what they needed to crack on with life in Christ.
We could all do with a Barnabas whether on our own or as a group.
Not only could we all do with a Barnabas, we could all do with encouraging the Barnabas in each other.
Even if that means a name change.
(Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 