BlessedSample

After Paul became a follower of Jesus on the road to Damascus, he began to teach about Jesus in the city of Damascus. The religious leaders there were bothered by Paul’s teachings and sought to kill him. His friends lowered him in a basket over the city walls so he could escape. Paul ended up in Jerusalem, hoping to connect with the believers there. But when he tried to join them, they were terrified. The last they’d heard about Paul, he was out to get them arrested—and who knows what else. Enter Barnabas. Scripture tells us: 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 (Acts 9:27).

Barnabas himself took Paul to the disciples and stood up for him. Barnabas went up against a group of his closest friends and stood up for a former enemy. Why? Because Barnabas recognized the evidence of Jesus. He recognized the work of Jesus. So he was challenging his friends, “I know this situation—Paul—doesn’t look like safety. But listen. Look at the fruit. He’s teaching about Jesus. He’s proclaiming Jesus. This situation smells like Jesus.” Barnabas was able to see something that the disciples didn’t see. Our friends can point out moves of God that we can’t see—His Holy Spirit lives in them too. So pay attention. Our Father may be speaking to you through your friends.