Are You Hearing and Following the Good Shepherd Like Barnabas?
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s meditate is on grace and grit… on the Good Shepherd and the salvation message being shared to both Jews and Gentiles. It is about how Jesus gives us direction in our lives both individually and collectively. It is about how sometimes His rod and staff are manifested through scripture or the guidance of other believers… such as those at Antioch where the name Christians originated…and then sometimes the Spirit nudges partners together for the expanding work of Jesus. Are You Hearing and Following the Good Shepherd Like Barnabas?
Scripture: At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
John 10:22-30 (NRSV)
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”
Acts 11:19-26 (NRSV)
Message: The people, aside from Jesus, whom God chooses to work together to carry out God’s plans are never perfect. That is why they need a Good Shepherd to help meet their needs. You see Jesus knows how to give direction to lives. He provides protection. He becomes as a host in heaven. He when needed he lays down his life so others might be safe. And in mission work we need to listen for such a voice that proceeds from the mouth of God to instruct our hearts to action. It might be the voice of an angel of a nudging of the Holy Spirit. Think of the stories of Peter and Cornelius or Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. For in the drama of the early church we see the life in the Spirit acting in just this way to prompt an expansion of the Gospel to the world. And now in Antioch we see a natural growth of faith to others taking place. During a scattering of disciples to the world after the death of Stephen we have examples of the word spreading dramatically, and in today’s scripture from Acts, we have the epoch though subdued story of the first Christian community of any size outside Jerusalem being formed. And it is interesting that it is not so much a written word but a hearing word that prompts faith to action and trust to extend the center of believers to include Gentiles as well. Friends, the Good Shepherd loves us throughout all our life but is perhaps most easily seen in the beginning of things. And if you are listening, as Barnabas, for the trust, intimacy, and tenderness of the Shepherd, a significant work can occur very naturally. Interestingly Barnabas being a Levite, one might think would be reluctant to embrace a Hellenistic culture having been steeped in the Jewish traditions. But he knew both cultures and was as a Son of encouragement and a true gift to the early church. And though he served in the shadows of Paul and his work not always noticed, it was I think appreciated. He did an important work guided by the Holy Spirit but also backed up by a process. You see the leaders of the church in Jerusalem sensed a need and embraced Barnabas for the task. So too we need to sense the needs of our day and embrace those who are willing to be used of the Lord. We need to be approved and sent. We, as Barnabas, need to be called and affirmed and show our good character and wisdom. We need to be filled with the Spirit and realize that help is needed to accomplish the work to be done. When Barnabas’ ministry is looked at as a whole his character begins to shine a bit more than today’s passage would indicate. It was he who forgave John Mark and saw the potential for his growth and restoration. He did not insist others support him financially but instead used his own resources. He willingly faced controversy with grace, even vouching for Paul despite his tainted history. He continually had a focus on impacting a wider circle of people to experience Jesus and keep the focus on Jesus. Friends, although Barnabas served in the shadow of a giant of the faith, God used him in mighty ways and can use us as well. Like Barnabas, we will not be as well-known as Paul, but we still can serve faithfully in the role God calls us. Barnabas was content to serve wherever the Lord led and so should we. So, if you are struggling to find your place, seek the Lord for guidance and wisdom. If you are part of the Body of Christ, He has a work for you to do with others in the flock. God never intended for anyone to journey through life and ministry all alone and without any assistance. We are meant to be part of a flock. We are meant to follow Jesus
Pray with praise for the Good Shepherd who helps us find our way. Pray with praise for the Good Shepherd who puts us on the path of righteous service. Pray with praise for the Good Shepherd who causes our cup to overflow with goodness and mercy. Pray that one day we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Pray we experience, with confidence, the truth of God. Pray we not want. Pray we not fear. Pray we drink deep of the water of life. Pray it overflows with abundant grace. Pray the cup of salvation fill us with satisfaction and joy. Pray we be filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that our walk of faith and the reality of life in relationship with the Shepherd bring a bit of heaven to earth. Pray that we discover to trust the good in the Good Shepherd…to believe He will provide for us and will defend us and will know us and claim us as His sheep even as He teaches us to be shepherds. Pray we serve faithfully until He returns. Pray the Lord quicken His Word in our hearts. Pray we slow down, calm down, wait on the Lord and listen to His call so we might move forward in faith. Pray we renew our trust in the Lord. Pray we experience the Shepherd on the journey. Pray we are inspired by the guidance of Christ. Pray we bring people not to church but to Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 