Good Morning Friends,
Really, I do not know what you are going through but maybe you do not even have to say anything for God knows if you have had a long week and disappointment or a rough day and unending frustrations with people or really bad news. And God is right there with you to support you and help you through it and if you need reassurance and support and inspiration then who knows maybe someone like Barnabas might show up and boost your emotional status or choose you to be a great blessing to another person. Let’s face it, the people in today’s scripture really needed all they could get of this important gift of being all in for the cause of Christ. So, Do You Need Some Encouragement In the Form Of God’s Covenant Of Grace?
Scripture: 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.” Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 (NRSV)
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So, when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:20-26 (NRSV)
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:15 (NRSV)
Message: There was a man who lived in Jerusalem following Jesus’ ascension into heaven, right around the year 30 AD who was well known for encouraging his fellow Christians. He hung out with Jesus’ disciples in Jerusalem although he was originally from the island of Cyprus. His name was Joseph. The Bible tells us that he had sold his personal property and brought it to Jesus’ disciples to support them and their ministry that they were carrying out. Now, you might know Joseph by the name that the Apostles had given to him. They called him “Barnabas,” a Hebrew name that literally means, “son of encouragement.” The persecution of Christians was beginning to ramp up. It was not all that long ago that a man by the name of Stephen had been killed because he was a Christian. Many of these Christians lost nearly everything for confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Savior. Encouragement was needed, given and received among these fellow Christians and Barnabas was a great example of this character trait. How encouraging it must have been for Paul to have someone stick up for him, believe him and defend him after all he had done to persecute followers of the Way. This seems to be the beginning of a close friendship between Barnabas and Paul, that would be a great blessing to each of them, and to many others throughout the upcoming years. Encouragement needed, given and received among fellow Christians. maybe some of those reading this devotional have experienced, like Paul, difficulty and discouragement in evangelizing others. But the reality is that evangelism has never been easier than in our society today. What is difficult today in our society is discipleship. It was difficult for Paul as well. A long journey of obedience and love in the same direction is a rarity in people’s lives. But, if we are indeed doing the will of God then we are to remember that Jesus is walking with us and will encourage us to be faithful in blessing others so they might in turn become blessings that value relationships and experiences of others as essential to a faith community. Barnabas is a wonderful example of this Christlike characteristic being exacted in community.
And So, a covenant is a serious agreement two parties enter that must not be taken lightly, especially the covenant we have with God. The old covenant did an amazing job of revealing our sins and now the New Covenant is offered to us if we but just accept the proposal to be at peace. Perhaps you have blown something off as if it is no big deal and not important. Well, the covenant that God made with Abraham that was fulfilled in Jesus and has been extended to us by God’s grace through faith is a big deal. It is the New Covenant of Christ of which our text this morning is all about. Barnabas giving Paul encouragement is an example of it. So, join me in contemplating the importance of this New Covenant for our lives today as the only way to make lasting social change. Consider the confidence it gives us to have a Kingdom mindset in relationships like Paul and Barnabas. Consider how our affirmation of the New Covenant acknowledges in us a usefulness to be as servants for each other and for God as a witness to the Glory of God. And then reflect on the reality that entering a relational covenant with God and others gives us the hope and encouragement that we can stand before God and before the world to boldly proclaim that God keeps promises. What Jesus explains in today’s text is that there are sins of commission but also sins of omission and of our disposition. We are brought to the reality that we cannot legislate love. Friends, if we have love good things will come to life. If we do not accept the offer of love our lives will be miserable. The resurrection and its encouragement are already woven into the fabric of life and our relationships as a witness that our hope is not in vain.
Pray for those in need of encouragement. Pray we realize that we are changed by the love of grace not the law. Pray we clean up our anger and realize that the New Covenant is an offer we are not to refuse, for it is the one that God offers. Pray we realize that the New Covenant is the Gospel and the only truly Good News. Pray we realize that saying yes to the New Covenant is like saying yes to a marriage that reveals the heart of those making the promise. Pray we believe in the sufficiency and superiority of the New Covenant and realize that it has greater glory than the old covenant for it transforms lives through love. Pray we believe in the power of the resurrection. Pray we realize that a kind word is priceless. Pray we have a touch of joy in our sharing on the journey. Pray we view each other with a sense of expectancy. Pray we figure out how to live in a community of faith and develop the maturity that can share and exchange God’s grace with those who might otherwise be viewed as outsiders. Pray we encourage each other to believe in the faith of Christ.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 