The Right Man for the Job

Scripture – Acts 11:22-26: ²²News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Reflection: – Barnabas must have been one terrific person to know. When the leaders in Jerusalem heard that the gospel had spread to the Greeks in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to check it out. He was the perfect man for the job.

When he got there and saw what was going on, he was glad. There was no finger-pointing – no concerns about Jew and Gentile issues. It didn’t matter what the background of these people were. They had found Christ and the new life and hope He brings. So he encouraged them in their new faith, and more and more people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas remembered Saul – the one who had been sort of banished to Tarsus. I imagine the leaders in Jerusalem hoped he would kind of fade away so they wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore. Whatever was behind that decision, Barnabas remembered Saul. He went and found him, and brought him to Antioch. Somehow Barnabas knew Saul was the right man for this new area of ministry. Our history as a church was altered that day. In Antioch we also picked up the nickname that’s stayed with us ever since.

Who has encouraged you to do new things? Who has seen potential in you that others might have missed? Who might you encourage today?