When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. Acts 9:26
“Do not desire your neighbor’s be longings; do not be greedy. Do not join forces with the high and mighty but associate with the humble and upright. Welcome whatever happens to you as good, knowing that nothing occurs apart from God.”
Joseph (died A.D. 61) a.k.a. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus in the Epistle of Barnabas 19:6.
I changed the header photo. People have asked where I am. Notice the flag blowing on my daily walk with the dog. I am stateside this month, inviting people to give to GTP and preparing for work in India in June.
As we continue reading the epistle ascribed to Barnabas, we find interesting imperatives in the exhortation section. Today let’s consider today’s Scripture the terms “associate” and “welcome.”
When Saul, who would become known as Paul, met Jesus on the road and began to follow him, many doubted whether he was a disciple. Saul tried to “associate” with them but did not find warm “welcome.”
As the story unfolds, Barnabas would be the guy who puts his arm around Saul and associates with him and welcomes him. Just think about the generosity and grace he exhibited in doing this.
Our temptation in life is to desire things and money and to join forces with the high and mighty. We do this because there’s power in all these things. That’s not the way of Jesus. He wants us to associate with the humble and upright.
And we get to welcome whatever happens knowing that nothing happens to us apart from God. Let us give thanks for His generosity toward us and pledge our trust afresh to Him today.