Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, His followers preached a message throughout the Roman Empire that dramatically changed people’s lives; indeed, they even caused the opposers of their message to refer to them as those who ‘turned the world upside down’, Acts chapter 17 verse 6. They declared confidently that Christ had died and rose again, and urged people to show ‘repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’, Acts chapter 20 verse 21.

Let us consider some of these disciples and challenge ourselves as to whether we have their desire to make a difference

BARNABAS (also known as JOSES}

Was he ‘the man with the biggest heart in the church at Jerusalem?’.

There were 5.000+ Christians in Jerusalem – even more remarkably, we read that they were of ‘one heart and one soul, neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things common’, Acts chapter 4.32. It was truly amazing that such unity was achieved among so many! They cared and no one was in need. What a challenge! Is this same unity seen among Christians today?

BARNABAS typified the spirit that existed. He was a Levite from Cyprus and the Old Testament decreed that a Levite was not to possess land, Numbers chapter 18 verse 20. However, when we first meet Barnabas, he owned land. Maybe, the Old Testament Law had lapsed among the Jews in Cyprus at that time. Nevertheless, at some point, Barnabas saw the need to obey it; therefore, voluntarily, he reached out to the poor. He sold his land and gave the proceeds to help them, Acts chapter 4 verses 36-37.

His care and generosity challenges us today to display the same spirit and thereby, help to ‘turn the world upside down’. Jesus reminded His disciples (and us!), ‘For the poor you have with you always’, John chapter 12 verse 8. John, himself, wrote later on: ‘But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide him’, 1 John 3 verse 17.