Acts 9:23-35
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, q but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. [1]
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What struck me in today’s passage was the way Barnabas spoke up for Saul. The church in Jerusalem was rather skeptical of Saul, and understandably so. But Barnabas acted not only for the advancement of the mission, but also as an advocate and friend to Saul.
This episode is all about the “IN” of our Christian walk, our relationship with other brothers and sisters and Christ. Barnabas acted as a true friend to Saul and thereby helped Saul’s relationship with other Christians. What powerful witness then it must have been to have the former persecutor accepted by the church.
This has led me this morning to think of the value of the Christian friends in my life, what a blessing they have been, and how much my life has been enriched through those relationships. Our relationships are to be living picture of the gospel and the unity which we have with Christ, and therefore with all who bear His name.
But I’m also thinking about those who may need my friendship and support. I’m thankful for those who have been a Barnabas to me. But who right now in my life may need me to be a Barnabas for them? So my prayers today are about Christian friendship. I’m thanking the Lord for the friends that I have and asking Him to guide me to be a better friend and support, to be a Barnabas to those Christians around me.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Ac 9:23–35). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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