An Encouraging Word

Scripture – Acts 9:26-30: ²⁶When 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. ²⁷But 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. ²⁸So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. ³⁰When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Reflection: Quite understandably, Saul’s return to Jerusalem was met with skepticism by the believers there. Indeed, it would have been very hard to trust him. However, in this passage Barnabas again shows why he’s one of my heroes. He spoke up on Saul’s behalf. He put his reputation behind Saul. And so, however hesitantly, Saul was accepted.

Saul then began teaching and debating in the name of Jesus. Again, some of the Jews tried to kill him. The brother heard about this and shipped Saul off to Tarsus. My hunch is they were quite relieved to see him go.

Who have you had a hard time trusting? How do you handle that? Who might you speak up for today?