The physician Luke 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 Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, …”, and in chapter four and verse thirty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Barnabas,“having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet” where we read:
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
The verse begins, “Having land, sold it, and brought the money, ...”. Luke began with the words, “having land” which means “possessing, owning and holding a piece of land, tillage or country seats”, “sold it” which means “bartered and traded the land”, “and brought the money” or “and carried and brought forth the wealth and price of the land”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” “sold” a piece of land that he owned and carried the price of it to the following.
The verse continues, “... and laid it at the apostles' feet.” Luke added the words, “and laid it” which means “and put, placed and set the price of the land” “at the apostles' feet” or “at the physical feet of Jesus' delegates, messengers and ones sent forth”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” carried the “money” from the sale of his land and placed it at the feet of Jesus' “apostles”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover how “Barnabas” was involved with the multitude of people who sold and brought their possessions to the “apostles”. This “son of consolation” demonstrated his belief and trust in Jesus by joining the others who were practicing communal living and giving. God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they submit to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who yield themselves to Jesus will become “givers and exhorters” like “Barnabas” who surrendered his life to Jesus as His Lord.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession”, 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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