Notes of Faith July 20, 2024

Look-Alikes: The Sacrifice of Barnabas

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4:36-37

The disciple John called Jesus, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Every Jew knew exactly how a lamb could atone for sin: by sacrifice (Isaiah 53:7). So calling Jesus the “Lamb of God” was another way of acknowledging His mission of sacrifice.

Disciples of Jesus are called—by Jesus Himself—to live lives of sacrifice: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). But sacrifice doesn’t always involve laying down one’s life. It can easily involve laying down a part of one’s life—time, resources, possessions. Barnabas, a leader in the Early Church, did that when he sold some of his land and gave the money to meet the needs of fellow believers in Jerusalem. He didn’t have to sacrifice his property (assets) for others but did so willingly, following the example of Christ.

Look for ways today to be a “living sacrifice” for the sake of another

(Romans 12:1).

The only life that counts is the life that costs.

Frederick P. Wood

The people of the local church that I serve have always been sacrificial. They have given of themselves for one another, for our missionaries all over the world, and for the lost that God has placed around all of us. They sacrifice because of the sacrifice of Jesus for them and they sincerely desire to follow in His footsteps of pleasing our Father in heaven. May we continue to give with the sacrifice of our time, talents, and resources until we are with our Lord and Savior, face to face!

Pastor Dale