By: Jean-Daniel Plüss, President, Fondation du Forum Chrétien Mondial
“There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’).” (Acts 2:36)
In the last part of the second chapter of the book of Acts we read that the early Christians in Jerusalem shared from what was theirs so that no one had to suffer any need.
Now that we are all affected by a global pandemic, we may ask ourselves, “What can I contribute to ease someone’s need? Can I respond to someone’s loneliness? Does someone I know need some help?”
In verse 36 we find a beautiful remark that is presented as an afterthought. Joseph, a Christian from Cyprus, had been given a nickname because of his lifestyle. He had become a “son of encouragement.” Are we not all called to be sons and daughters of encouragement because Jesus Christ has given us new life and new hope?
In Christ we have a unique motivation, we are being refreshed by the Holy Spirit, we are not along in difficult situations because God is with us. Ask God, in what concrete way you could be an encouragement to others today.
