A Dispenser of Grace
The blog is written by Barbara Westberg
Part 2 in a series of 3
The apostles in Jerusalem were in turmoil.
He’s here? Saul of Tarsus? He’s here in Jerusalem? He wants fellowship? The man who cheered on the Jews as they stoned our brother Stephen?
My uncle is in prison right now because of this man, and he wants fellowship? No way!
So, the accusations, true accusations, filled the air.
Over my dead body will we fellowship with him! He can’t be trusted. When he walks in the door, I. . .
The door opened, and two men walked in. A hush fell over the meeting. The men rose to welcome
Joses, whom they had surnamed Barnabas, son of consolation. They highly respected Barnabas, a Levite
from Cyprus. He was a rich man. Rather, he had been rich until he sold all and gave it to be distributed to
meet the needs of the believers.
No one had to ask who the other man was. They knew. Saul of Tarsus. As one man, the apostles
glared at him. An icy silence filled the room.
Gracious, wise words flowed from Barnabas’s lips. He related Saul’s conversion testimony and
declared how he had boldly preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. As Barnabas spoke, a spirit of
grace softened the apostles’ countenances. A few even nodded and smiled.
If Barnabas offered this terrorist grace, who were they to withhold it? They knew that as they had
received grace, they were to dispense it.
The men shook hands, and the meeting ended as they prayed for Saul.
A few years later, Barnabas and Saul, now called by his Roman name Paul, were about to embark on
their second missionary journey. “Let’s send word to John Mark so he can prepare,” Barnabas said.
Paul bristled. “John Mark? Who said anything about him going? He had his chance and blew it when
he dropped out of the last journey.”
Barnabas, John Mark’s uncle, challenged Paul’s thinking. “He’s young. He deserves another chance.”
Paul firmly shook his head. “No! He is a quitter. We have an important work to do. We cannot waste
time coddling him.”
The argument continued with voice rising. Barnabas argued for grace, but Paul was adamant. John
Mark would not go with them. The dissention became so strong that the missionary team of Paul and
Barnabas split. Paul and Silas went one way. Barnabas and John Mark went another. Division between
brethren is always grievous. Who was right? Who was wrong? The Bible does not say, and neither
should we. We do know that later Paul wrote to Timothy to bring Mark “for he is profitable to me for
the ministry” (II Timothy 4:11).
Barnabas dispensed grace to a terrorist and to a quitter, and it cost him.
Dispensing grace is not always easy. But as we have received so we should give.
Call to Action #!: This gets sticky. Have you ever prayed for the leaders of the terrorists to have a Saul of Tarsus encounter with Jesus Christ? How would such an experience change the world?
Call to Action #2: What do you think it cost Barnabas to extend grace to John Mark?
Call to Action #3: Do you know someone who has failed and needs grace? What have you done to reach out to that person? If may cost you, but someday that quitter may be profitable for the ministry.
Remember as you have received grace so you should dispense it.