After his conversion, the disciples were afraid of Saul. They didn't trust that he was genuinely converted. But Barnabas believed him and 'brought him to the apostles.' Barnabas became his advocate at the moment Saul was most isolated. This is why Barnabas's name means 'son of encouragement.' He saw potential when others saw threat.
I have a friend like that. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. I was a mess—divorced, broke, ashamed. My church community was polite but distant. But Sarah kept inviting me to things, kept saying 'you're going to be okay,' kept treating me like I had value. That was Barnabas to me. She didn't understand all my struggles, but she understood faith. She understood that people can change.
I'm trying to be that person for others now. I mentor young men who've come out of prison. The rehab community rejects them; the church is skeptical. I believe them. I tell them their past doesn't define their future. That's what Barnabas did for Saul. And it changed everything. Saul became Paul, the greatest missionary the church has ever known. All because someone named Barnabas was willing to take a risk on a person nobody else would trust.
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