Who Gets the Glory?

We  know about the great mission partnership of Paul and Barnabas. But have you ever followed Barnabas through the Book of Acts? We see a not-self-concerned fellow who just happens to raise up everyone he partners with!

When first mentioned in Acts, as Barnabas is selling his property to benefit others in need, he’s already been nick-named “Son of Encouragement.” On the second mention, he is boldly approaching Saul, the former enemy of the Church, who has now met Jesus. The Church doesn’t trust Saul, but Barnabas does, and he opens the door for the one we know as the Apostle Paul.

Sometime later, the Jerusalem church selects Barnabas to investigate what is happening in Antioch, where Gentiles are being saved. Barnabas does more than investigate. He quickly goes to find and enlist Saul. He somehow knows the former outcast will be good for the kingdom work in Antioch. The two of them partner fruitfully there for a year.

Now the Antioch church, listening to the Holy Spirit, sees the vast potential of this new mission partnership, and commissions Barnabas and Saul to go proclaim the gospel where people haven’t yet heard it. Very quickly, the team of Barnabas and Paul becomes the team of Paul and Barnabas. Reading between the lines, this change doesn’t matter to Barnabas, because it’s not about Barnabas!

When conflict inevitably arises, it’s not over personalities or philosophy of mission. It’s over trusting one who has once failed, namely John Mark. Paul, the former outcast, will not give the young man a second chance, but Barnabas the encourager will, and God uses this conflict to send out two mission teams instead of just one.

The qualities of Barnabas—encouragement, self-effacement, wisdom, discernment, trust, and a lot of grace—these are what the Church still needs, if it is to reach people with the Good News of Jesus. In my relatively long history in the CLB, I have seen and been blessed by these same qualities displayed in World Mission directors, Home Mission directors, Seminary professors, Synodical presidents, associate pastors, and elders. But also, there were very many not-self-concerned everyday church members. People you may not have heard of, but I remember them well.

What can we learn from Barnabas? Such relationships should be cherished, and such mission partnerships should be engaged to the fullest, for the sake of the kingdom of God. Because it’s not about us. It’s about how God may use us as his instruments through whom he will bless so many people.

Rev. Brent Juliot is Contributing Editor of F&F magazine and Pastor of Living Hope Church in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Posted in
Tagged with

No Comments