By Ashlie Miller
Reading through Galatians, two words leap off the page – “even Barnabas.” Barnabas is one of the most likable of the many followers of Jesus mentioned in the New Testament. Our first introduction to him in Acts 4 paints him not only as a very generous man but a great encourager – in fact, his name means “Son of Encouragement.” When Saul, former persecutor of the Church, is transformed by the Holy Spirit into Paul, proclaimer of the gospel of Christ, he is met with due skepticism. Barnabas steps in with an open mind, not letting fear of Paul’s past affect his own confidence in the Holy Spirit’s ability to use this new friend and fellow Christ-follower. It is Barnabas who brings Paul to the other apostles in Acts 9 to offer a first-hand account of Paul’s transformation. Acts goes on to show Barnabas as a trustworthy, spirit-filled exhorter (Acts 11).
This disciple is easy to love, which makes the words “even Barnabas” hit like a gut-punch. For context: “But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy” (Galatians 2:11-13).
“Even Barnabas.” The way Paul confronts his brother in Christ reminds me of the line from the Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “Et tu, Brute?” It hits with the same tenor. We have come to know Barnabas so very well, and now we wonder if we know him at all.
What happened? Although the Bible doesn’t fully elaborate on how Barnabas came to follow hypocrisy, I wonder if I can empathize here. He was doing so well in his Christian walk. If we were to make a chart of how to look and live like a Christian, he would be the poster child. Luke, the writer, refers to him as “a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Barnabas surrounded himself with great followers and leaders, like Peter. I wonder if both Peter and Barnabas struggled with people-pleasing. Before we look at that latter phrase with contempt, let us remember that most of our weaknesses are the backside of the coin of a strength. Even Paul speaks of being all things to all people for the sake of winning some to Christ. But when we seek to please and accommodate people out of fear of how they will respond to us rather than out of an opportunity to win them to Christ, we can become hypocritical.
Perhaps it is the elementary mistake of forgetting the rules of “follow the leader.” In case it’s been a minute since you last played: it has one rule – wait for it – “follow the leader.” Participants line up in a single file, imitating and following the leader as he or she walks or moves. It is a reflection of the leader. Most who lose and get called out are those who have their eyes on someone else in front of them or are distracted by something else outside the game. Winners are those rule followers who keep their eyes on the leader.
Thankfully, I can tell you there is hope in the story. After this moment of confrontation, Barnabas was still found useful for the kingdom and the building of the church. Paul mentioned this brother in Christ in a later letter with affection. Though his death is not mentioned in the Bible, early scholars report that it is likely Barnabas died a martyr’s death, possibly in Cyprus, indicating that he continued his walk of faith. There is hope for us and fellow-believers, too. At some point in our journey, many of us will need to be reminded of the rules of “follow the leader,”and when we are reminded and readjust, we, too, can continue in steadfastness.
