你最近有沒有聽到任何令你沮喪的話﹖有時那些令人沮喪的話不是口頭上的，而是環境給你的；有時是朋友出於好意但毫無必要的評語；也有時是源於個人的自卑感所造成的自我譴責。不論沮喪來自何處，那些話語都不受歡迎。我們都寧願聽令人鼓舞的話。

        初代教會面對一連串的侮辱、仇視、和逼迫，實在需要一些鼓勵的話。居比路人約瑟就是鼓勵的化身。使徒稱他為「巴拿巴」（4：36），就是「勸慰子」的意思。在初代基督教會的舞台上，巴拿巴是個傑出的演員。

        他不僅幫助剛成立的教會在經濟上有好的開始，還在許多方面成為他人的鼓勵。不過，他所做最有價值的一件事是支持那反覆無常的「危險分子」，大數人掃羅。

        掃羅在大馬士革的經歷後，到耶路撒冷想與門徒結交。可以想見的是，門徒都不想和他來往，因為他是教會的「頭號敵人」。教會懷疑他歸正的誠意也是可以瞭解的。不過，巴拿巴卻相信掃羅。他用自己的名譽為掃羅作證，在耶路撒冷的教會領袖面前保舉他。巴拿巴有善於察驗的靈，也願意按著聖靈的感動行事。數年後，他成了「使徒保羅」的同伴，又為年輕、未經試驗的「馬可約翰」作了一次保人，即使那導致他與保羅在宣教的旅途上分道揚鑣──15：36：39。

        想想看，要不是巴拿巴，我們今天就不會有馬可福音，也讀不到使徒保羅的著作。一句鼓勵的話能成就奇妙的大事！

        天父，我們再次求您的恩典，使我們能運用鼓勵的恩賜。從今天以至永遠，願我們幫助沮喪、灰心的人，溫柔的引導他們到那位說：「凡勞苦擔重擔的人可以到我這裡來，我就使他們得安息」的聖者面前。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        Have you heard any “discouraging words” lately? Sometimes those words come non-verbally from the circumstances you face. Sometimes they’re the well-meaning but unnecessary comments from a friend. Other times they are self-accusing views from the depths of your own pool of poor self-esteem. But whatever their source, discouraging words are never welcome. We’d all rather choose to hear encouraging words.

        In the barrage of insults, anger, and open hostility facing the early church, there was great need for an encouraging word now and then. Enter a Cypriot named Joseph, the personification of encouragement. In fact, the apostles called him “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Encouragement” 4:36), He was an outstanding player in the early drama of the Christian church.

        He not only helped get the fledgling church onto its feet financially (4:37), but he was an encouragement in several other ways. The most valuable thing he did, however, was champion the cause of that volatile and “dangerous” convert, Saul of Tarsus.

        Just after his Damascus-road experience, Saul went to Jerusalem to join the disciples. Predictably, they wanted nothing to do with him. After all, he was “public enemy number one” as far as the church was concerned. There was understandable suspicion about the sincerity of his alleged conversion. Barnabas, however, believed in Saul He put his own good reputation on the line and vouched for him before the Jerusalem leadership. He had a discerning spirit and a willingness to act on what his heart told him about raw material. A few years later, by now a companion of “the apostle Paul”, he did the same for a young, untried man called “John Mark” (even if it meant separating from Paul’s missionary travels – 15:36-39).

        Think of it. If it hadn’t been for Barnabas, we wouldn’t have the Gospel of Mark, nor the writings of St. Paul. It’s amazing what an encouraging word can do!

        Dear Father, once again we ask for grace; this time so that we may exercise the gift of encouragement. Today and always may we lift up the discouraged by leading them gently to the One who said, “Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”