Acts 4:23-37
As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,
‘Why were the nations so angry?
Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.’27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name, Yeshua (Joshua in English). The name means, “The Lord saves.” So appropriate for our Lord, Jesus of Nazareth. Joseph is told to name Mary’s son Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus’ name is no accident. It is well-given. Jesus lived up to his name. He did save us from our sins.
You may love or hate your own name. It may seem beautiful to you, or you may wish your parents had named you something different from the name they gave you. But even if you love your name (without self-aggrandizement), what other name might you wish you had? Me: Barnabas.
Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” How I’d love to be known by that name. Don’t call me a son of discouragement. Don’t label me son of criticism. Don’t name me lazy or thoughtless. But if you want to call me a son of encouragement, I’m good with that.
I’m good with that because I am a son of encouragement: I am who I am because of the encouragement of others. I can name a few: Will Sohns was my vicarage supervisor and continues to be a great inspiration for my encore life (continuing to serve as long as I am able). Jerry Kieschnick saw leadership potential in me and nominated me to be part of the first class of the Pastoral Leadership Institute. Even before that time Kent Hunter suggested that I study for my Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Seminary, yielding me far more than the privilege to put a “Dr.” in front of my name. Linda Aves was Director of Discipleship at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas when I was called there. She had a huge impact for good in my personal life and ministry, as did Gary, her husband. Gary and I became good friends there, and was so encouraging to me during the time I served there. I’m in trouble now, because where do I stop in naming those who have encouraged me along the way? I’d have to include Jerry Snell, my good high school friend, photographer who knew as a junior in high school that he wanted to be a Lutheran pastor. Pastor Robert Lange was a great influence for me in so many ways. He was the campus pastor where I became a Lutheran and helped me chart a path to the seminary.
Now I have to be like Martin Luther, who ends his lists of blessings or promises of God with the phrase, “and the like.” Too many to mention. And I’ve not mentioned people still actively in my life (you know who you are, I hope), who serve still to day to encourage me in my walk of faith.
There is one more, worth a brief story. When I was in seminary, I really struggled with some of the classes that were required. One day I was sitting at my desk and pretty distressed about it all. I even spoke about giving up. Diane grabbed a brick from the brick factory I worked in prior to entering the sem. (That was the hardest work I’ve ever done in my life.) She said, “Here. Look at this. Feel it. Do you want to go back to this?” It was a different kind of encouragement. But it was encouragement nonetheless. She has continued to offer gracious encouragement to me all along the way.
Do you have a Barnabas in your life? Are you an encourager? I thank God for all who have encouraged me, and I hope to encourage at least a few people to follow Jesus and experience the fullness of life he gives.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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