Barnabas and The Ministry of Encouragement

I enjoy reading and commenting on ThePreachersWord blog, written by Ken Weliever, as often as my schedule allows. In a recent post, he lifts up 1 Thessalonians 5:11—“The Ministry of Encouragement”—and shares how he once preached a lesson entitled “Disciples Bear Burdens.” I’ve reblogged it below so you can read it first, then scroll down to read the comment I have posted here in response.

1 Thessalonians 5:11- The Ministry of Encouragement

Barnabas is remembered by the early Church as a father in the faith — a Levite from Cyprus, a companion of Paul, and a man whose name is often translated as “Son of Encouragement.” This reflection was was originally shared on June 11 — the Feast of Saint Barnabas — and now offered again in time for Father’s Day…

In Acts 4:36, we’re told that Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, was nicknamed Barnabas—meaning “Son of Encouragement.”

But what many miss is that the Gospel writers gave the earthly father of Jesus the name Joseph. Later traditions place Joseph of Nazareth in the barn at the Nativity, holding the lamp over the manger—bearing witness as Abba, the one who carries the Light— not merely carrying the Light, but lifting it high, so others may see the new family being born.

Another detail often overlooked: the capital of Cyprus is Kyrenia.

And it is here the story deepens.

The name Cyrene, from Simon of Cyrene, has been anglicized from Kyrene, an ancient Greek city in the region of Cyrenaica—one of five cities in the Pentapolis. This opens the possibility that Barnabas and Simon of Cyrene are one and the same.

So what?

Why does it matter if Simon of Cyrene—the man who carried the cross of Jesus—and Barnabas—the man who later carried Paul—were one and the same?

Here’s why:

The name Simon means “one who listens and heeds.”

It was the name of the man Jesus called Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus said the Church would be built. And it was Peter who stood at Pentecost, boldly encouraging the crowd to believe in the Crucifixion and the Resurrection—to see and trust the Good News.

“Christ is risen from the dead, 
Trampling down death by death, 
And upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”

As Paul later writes in 1 Corinthians 15:13:
“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.”

And if Christ has not been raised, how can we dare to hope?

But He has been raised.
And so we do hope.

We are called, as was the one known as Barnabas—Simon, Peter—to live in faith, to witness the Resurrection, to carry the message, to lift the burden, and to embody the ministry of encouragement.

And perhaps the greatest encouragement is this:

That the Body of Christ—Jesus the Man called Peter,
Jesus the Woman called Paul,
and the newborn child they resurrect, bring back to life in love—
is still working among us.

Some know this Child as John,
the one beloved,
the one who hears the Voice of the Bridegroom
and testifies to Him as His friend and forerunner.

Others know the Mother—Mary,
also called Paul,
as the one sent with Barnabas
to show and tell the Good News: the Resurrection.

Still others know the Father—Joseph,
called Peter, the earthly foundation stone,
as the one who bears the keys and casts the net.

And in Bethany, the House of Grace and House of Figs,
waits Martha—the faithful housewife, 
the one who was told she worried too much—
but whose welcome set the table
for Salome, whom some now see as Mary, 
to come and dance and sing, 
bringing Peace and Love into the world. 

So what is encouragement, if not this?

To show and tell.
To know we are not alone.
To know the Father and Mother of God—and their begotten Son of faith—are here.

Still bearing.
Still breaking bread.
Still rising.

Do you think you’re special?
or do you need to know? 

🎶 "I Need to Know"– DonStewart 

“I guess I’ll always be your friend,
That’s the label you give all your men…”
you say I’m special…but sometimes I wonder when you’re not here… ”

This original song by Canadian jazz vocalist DonStewart was performed live at Blue Frog Studios in White Rock, BC, as part of a tribute to Burt Bacharach in September 2024. 

Watch the performance on YouTube

DonStewart’s lyrics echo the longing for clarity—the ache of love that asks, How do I stand?

Yet like Barnabas, — who is Simon, who is Peter — the one who heeds the Word and lifts the Light of the Cross, his voice— full of thunder— helps us remember who we are.

He takes us to the Gate called Beautiful.

“I have no silver or gold,
but what I have, I give you —
the name of Jesus of Nazer…eth…
a branch from the root of Jesse.”
(Acts 3:6; Isaiah 11:1)

The son who becomes a father who remembers—
becomes the voice who helps us remember who we are.