Who is your Barnabus? - Who has your back when no one else does?

Who's your Barnabus?

Barnabus was a Levite by birth whose name was originally Joseph. Joseph sold a field he owned and gave the proceeds to the apostles who in turn gave him a name of endearment, Barnabus, which means "Encourager."


It was Barnabus who vouched for Saul’s good character…
Acts 9:26-27 (NIV)

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.

It was Barnabus who encouraged the church at Antioch…
Acts 11:22-24 (NIV)

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.

It was Barnabus who parted ways with Paul in order to encourage John Mark…
Acts 15:37-39 (NIV)

37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

Your Barnabus is your encourager. When all the world has turned on you and you feel that there is no one who has your back... your Barnabus steps up and tells you that you still matter... Your Barnabus steps in and says "I believe in you."

We all need people to encourage us, to believe in us, to speak words of affirmation to us. Someone to "light your candle and keep it lit, and to encourage you when it goes dark" (L Sweet).

A Barnabus' role is to encourage you, not placate you. "Some people will embalm you in flattery. That's not a Barnabus, that's a sycophant" (L Sweet). Sycophant! Now there’s a word you don’t hear everyday! It means “a servile self-seeking flatterer, a parasite.” People who encourage you by enshrining you can be dangerous. They can deceive into self conceit, and pride, which can in turn be the death of you. You need people who inspire the best in you… literally breathe life into you… not fawn you into self delusion. You’ll never grow that way.

Now don’t get your Barnabus confused with your Nathan (see previous blog entry – Who’s Your Nathan). The goal is the same, to move you forward, but the method is a little different. Len Sweet describes two types of hands, a fist and a palm. Your Nathan is a fist! Nathan will take the gloves off with no remorse. Barnabus is a palm. Barnabus will pat you on the back, touch you, feel your pain.

Just like we all need a Barnabus, we also need to be a Barnabus to others. The law of reciprocity really works. You reap what you sow. If you sow seeds of compassion and encouragement, you will reap the same in due season. When seeds of encouragement and compassion are sown into you, you should be careful to sow them back into others.

Exercise: Pick one day out of each week and make it your "Barnabus Day." Make it your business to encourage everyone you meet that day.
Speak a word of comfort!
Pay someone a compliment!
Tell someone “Thank you!”
Tell someone how wonderful you think they are!
Encourage someone!

“The word encouragement is from the French coeur: It means to put “heart” into someone.”

Who "hearts" you?

Written by Frederick A. Hanna