Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, May 4, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
First the Jews in Damascus, now the disciples. And again, can you blame them? Imagine you’re the leader of a group, and that some guy has sworn to completely end you, but then shows up wanting to join. I, for one, would have him tossed out immediately. I’ve seen too many movies where betrayal is an integral plot point.
But God bless Barnabas. I wonder who this guy was, who had become convinced that Saul was the genuine article. Think of the risk it would have been to vouch for the guy, especially if Saul had used this introduction as a way to infiltrate and then destroy the group from within. Barnabas must have been divinely inspired in some way, to stick his neck out like that. And thank goodness! Because Paul wound up doing more to carry the good news to the world than any other single person. I don’t think I’d be here writing this devotion if not for Barnabas!
When have I trusted the testimony of a trusted friend about something I was skeptical about?
