A Word from Acts 4 and 9

If your brothers and sisters in Christ were to give you a nickname that acknowledged God’s activity in your life, what do you think it would be? Would they choose a name that celebrates your prayerfulness or your holy lifestyle? Would they take note of your kindness or your enthusiasm for the Lord? Or would there be enough evidence of Jesus’ presence in your life for them to give you a nickname in the first place?

I ask these questions because today’s “words” celebrate a believer named Joseph. However, as Acts Chapter 4 points out, “the apostles called him Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement.’” (4:36).  And why was he given that name?

Well, the first time we meet Barnabas, he was selling a field that he owned, so that he could provide resources to help the poor (Acts 4:37). And then, in the second “word” for today, he welcomed an enemy of the church—a man named Saul—because he believed that the Lord had changed Saul’s heart (Acts 9:26-28). And Barnabas took Saul to the apostles; and lo and behold, he became Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.

There are other signs of how Barnabas earned his nickname. He joined Paul in teaching new believers, with the result that they were given the nickname “Christians” or “little Christs.” (Acts 11:26) He collected donations for the poor in Jerusalem. (Acts 11:27-30) He gave grace to a young man named John—who later became Mark, the writer of a gospel. (Acts 15:37-39)

All of which is to say that Joseph so completely allowed the spirit of Jesus to live within him that the people around him basically said, “It’s like he’s a new person!” And they gave him a name that fit what they saw. And I don’t know about you. But I’d like the “new person” that Jesus is creating in me to be worthy of name that reflects his character.

So, whether you’re a son or daughter of encouragement, or holiness, or kindness, or grace…may others see the new person Jesus is creating in you today! And who knows? Maybe your nickname will be worth remembering. Amen.