Luke the physician wrote how Peter and John were arrested for speaking to the people in the temple about the resurrection of the dead. They answered the “religious leaders” and were released after being threatened not to speak or teach in Jesus' name. Afterward the people prayed to the Lord, and “when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need”, and in chapter four and verse thirty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared about a man named, “Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas” where we read:
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
The verse begins, “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,)” Luke began with the words, “and Joses” which means “exalted”, “who by the apostles” which means “Joses through Jesus' delegates, messengers and ones sent forth with orders” “was surnamed Barnabas” or “was called, summoned and charged as Barnabas which means son of rest” “(which is, being interpreted …” or “that is, translated and communicated as” “the son of consolation)” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging exhortation, entreaty, comfort and solace”. Luke shared how another man who was a believer named “Joses” joined the apostles and they called him “Barnabas” or son of “exhortation”.
The verse goes on to say, “a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, ...”. Luke continued with the words, “a Levite” which means “who was one of the tribe of Levi who, not being of the family of Aaron, for whom alone the priesthood was reserved and served as assistants to the priests”, “and of the country” or “and from the kindred, offspring, family, stock, tribe and nation” “of Cyprus” which means “belonging to Cyprus which means he was a Cyprian or Cypriote”. Luke shared how how “Barnabas” was from the tribe of “Levi” and served as an assistant to the priests and was from “Cyprus”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about another man who was near and dear to the “apostles” of Jesus. This man, “Barnabas”, was from the tribe of Levi and was known for being one who “exhorts”. Therefore, the apostles called him “son of consolation” or “solace and comfort”. God is the ultimate giver of “comfort and exhortation” through His Son Jesus, and whenever a person yields to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and provide comfort to their soul whenever they have need.
Next time Luke shares how Barnabas,“having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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