Reimagine Encouragement Through the Life of Barnabasනියැදිය

A Legacy of Love

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Do you want to be remembered as someone who gave up on people when they failed—or as someone who never stopped believing in their potential to grow, change, and be restored? Barnabas’s final story in Acts shows us that sometimes the most Christlike thing we can do is to keep believing in someone—even when it costs us relationships, opportunities, or reputation. Real love doesn’t walk away when people stumble.

Barnabas and Paul had formed one of the most effective missionary partnerships in history. But their partnership faced a breaking point as they prepared for their second journey. Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark, who had abandoned them on their earlier trip. Paul strongly disagreed, unwilling to risk another failure. The disagreement was so intense that they parted ways—Paul took Silas and headed one direction, and Barnabas took Mark and went another.

At first, this may seem like a failure in partnership and unity, but a closer look reveals something deeper. Barnabas wasn’t being stubborn—he was being consistent. The same man who had once stood up for Saul when no one else trusted him now stood up for Mark when Paul didn’t. While Paul prioritized the mission’s immediate needs, Barnabas focused on Mark’s long-term potential. He saw beyond the failure to what could be redeemed.

Time would prove Barnabas right. Years later, Paul would write to Timothy: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11, NIV). The young man who once quit became a faithful partner—precisely because Barnabas believed in his second chance.

This wasn’t blind optimism. Barnabas didn’t ignore Mark’s failure or pretend it hadn’t happened. However, he created a kind of supportive environment where growth and restoration could occur. That’s what true encouragement does: it calls people higher, while walking with them patiently toward who they’re becoming. Barnabas reminds us that encouragement isn’t just about lifting people in the moment. It’s about investing for the long haul.

As we conclude this five-day journey through Barnabas’s life, we see a composite picture of an encourager: generous with his resources, bold in his advocacy, humble in partnership, and faithful in investing in people whom others had given up on. His life was a living reflection of Jesus—others-focused, grace-filled, and grounded in hope.

If we choose to live like Barnabas, we will reflect the heart of Jesus and offer people a living, breathing picture of God’s love.

Reflection Questions:

1. How has Barnabas’s example challenged or inspired your approach to encouraging others?
2. Who in your life needs the kind of patient, long-term investment Barnabas gave to John Mark?

Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for Barnabas’s example of encouraging love. Help me live an others-oriented life that reflects Your heart, builds Your kingdom, and shows people Jesus. I pray in His name. Amen.

As we finish the final plan of the Reimagine series, we hope Barnabas’s life has inspired you to become someone who lifts others up and believes in their potential. May his example lead you to offer grace, generosity, and encouragement in powerful ways. Thank you for joining us as we reimagine what it means to boldly walk with Jesus. And don’t forget to follow The Crossing on YouVersion to check out our full library of plans to build your faith and strengthen your walk with Jesus.