Acts 11:17-24: a reflection

17If then God gave to them the same gift as us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?” 18When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!” 19They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. 20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, 23who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

The gospel has begun to spread beyond the Jews to the Gentiles, and at Antioch a great number come to believe. The church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to see; and when he arrives and sees the grace of God at work, he is glad. He does not come to criticize or control, but rejoices at what God is doing, and encourages the new believers to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast hearts. Luke adds a lovely summary: he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

Notice Barnabas's response to seeing God's grace at work in others: he was glad. He might have come suspicious, or eager to find fault, or protective of his own place; instead, he rejoiced at the grace of God, wherever it appeared, even among people not like himself. And out of that gladness, he encouraged the new believers to hold fast. His was a heart that rejoiced in God's work in others, and sought to strengthen it.

That gladness at God's grace in others is a mark of a generous, faithful heart, and one worth cultivating. We can be tempted, when we see God at work in others, to respond with suspicion, criticism, or a jealous protectiveness of our own place; but Barnabas simply rejoiced, glad at the grace of God wherever it appeared. When you see God's grace at work in others, even in those unlike you, respond as Barnabas did, with gladness, not suspicion or jealousy. Rejoice at what God is doing in them, and seek to encourage and strengthen it, as Barnabas encouraged the believers to remain faithful. A heart glad at God's grace in others, and eager to strengthen it, is the heart of a good man, full of faith; ask God to make yours such a heart.

Lord, when the gospel spread to the Gentiles at Antioch and many believed, the church sent Barnabas; and seeing the grace of God at work, he was glad, and encouraged the new believers to remain faithful, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Let his gladness at your grace in others mark my heart too. I can be tempted, when I see you at work in others, to respond with suspicion, criticism, or a jealous protectiveness of my own place; but Barnabas simply rejoiced, glad at your grace wherever it appeared, even among people not like himself. When I see your grace at work in others, even in those unlike me, help me respond as Barnabas did, with gladness, not suspicion or jealousy. Help me rejoice at what you are doing in them, and seek to encourage and strengthen it, as Barnabas encouraged the believers to remain faithful. A heart glad at your grace in others, and eager to strengthen it, is the heart of a good man, full of faith; make mine such a heart, Lord.