If someone asks me to list my favorite “characters” in Scripture, somewhere near the top of the list would be Barnabas. His name literally means, “Encourager,” and he was definitely that. Barnabas remains in the background of the book of Acts, yet he constantly keeps the story of the new Church of Jesus Christ moving forward. He was instrumental in planting the Church in Antioch. That’s the Church that propelled the Gospel into the rest of Asia Minor by funding Paul’s first missionary journey – a journey that he took with Barnabas.

That’s actually why it makes me smile to read Barnabas’ name in Galatians.When Paul went to cast his vision among the Elders in Jerusalem, he took Barnabas. People still struggled to trust Paul, but everyone loved Barnabas. Barnabas gave him instant credibility, and he was only too happy to lend his influence and his talents to help someone like Paul. He helped Paul get started, then assisted him from the background, unconcerned that Paul was getting much of the attention. His passion was for the Lord’s glory, not his own, and he had a tremendous impact for the Kingdom of God.