Especially around Easter, we hear a lot about being redeemed; so it’s something we’ve been reflecting on over the last few weeks. There’s lots of ways the word, “redemption”, can be used, but the redemption our faith offers is, “the restoration of something that had been lost.” In today’s second reading, God’s ultimate plan is revealed; this is what God’s redemption looks like: “…God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more…”[i].



Clearly, we’re not there yet though. We know we’re far from perfect, that we’re disadvantaged by our own weaknesses and are not as we could or should be. We’re not saints, yet. We need God’s redemption because without it we’re just imperfect people striving for the impossible. But our Christian faith offers another way, a Saviour who redeems us from those weaknesses we cannot overcome on our own.



We’ve reflected on how Jesus redeemed Thomas. Instead of allowing doubt to remain a barrier, Jesus transforms doubt from an obstacle into something that urges us to seek out and come closer to God. Doubts no longer have to divide us from our faith but become a call to keep searching.



We considered the redemption Jesus offered Peter when forgiving Peter for his three-time denial; the broken relationship was restored and redeemed. Through forgiveness, Jesus redeems our relationship with him so we can live as his disciples.



Then last week, we explored how Saint Paul had to go through his own long redemption before sharing in the work of the Saviour. It would take him over a decade to be freed of qualities incompatible with God’s plan so his gifts, abilities, intellect, drive and courage could flourish. So, it’s no surprise when our own redemption takes time and patience.



So many of the disciples had to be redeemed; they had real faults that could only be overcome with the help of Jesus and the words of the Bible highlight that. But today, we’re reflecting on someone who is only ever described positively in the scriptures. He’s described as generous, understanding and helpful, earning the name, “Barnabas”, a name meaning, “son of encouragement”. He’s a great example for those who know they have been redeemed, for those who are already close to Jesus and their faith.



When the Christians were afraid of Paul, Barnabas put his reputation on the line and vouched for him. When the Christians of Antioch faced a hostile culture, he encouraged them to remain faithful so they could assist other struggling communities and when Paul failed in his first attempt as a leader, Barnabas took him as a kind of apprentice to offer a second chance. Eventually, Barnabas would even mentor Mark, who wrote one of the Gospels.



In the first reading, we heard about a kind of tour that Paul and Barnabas went on. They moved city to city, working to establish a Christian community in each. Knowing the struggles these new communities would face, Barnabas encouraged them, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”[ii] Knowing he was redeemed, that he was already close to Jesus, Barnabas spent his life encouraging others. He put his reputation and life on the line. He took risks by investing his time and energy into encouraging others, into lifting others up and as a result our Christian Faith spread rapidly.



I know each of us wants to make a difference in the world and some exert a lot of effort to make a difference. Indeed, whenever I witness the efforts of those who serve in our community, when I see those working in our food bank or with Kindred Spirits, Development and Peace or any of our service groups, I know there’s many who are making a difference. But the greatest contribution someone could make might come from encouraging others, from lifting others up.



When there are so many powers that tear people down, that proclaim a message of bad news that says, “you’re not enough”, maybe one of the greatest contributions a disciple might make is to be like Barnabas, to be a son or daughter of encouragement, and proclaim some Good News, a message of redemption, of a Saviour who died and rose for all. Sounds easy, but it’s risky work. It means giving a second chance to that person who maybe doesn’t deserve it. It means re-directing those workplace conversations that criticize. It means looking past those hurts caused by family members and reaching out. It means deliberately looking for the mark of our maker in each person and recognizing others as opportunity to love. This is the hard work that makes God present in our community, that wipes out tears and pain and divisions.



Redeem you people, O Lord, from all that divides. Free us from doubt and fear, from sin and hopelessness. Through your Holy Spirit, establish here, in us, a community that supports and encourages so all who enter this place would encounter our Saviour who redeems all through his love. In his name we offer our prayers. Amen.







[i] Revelation 21: 3-4 NRSVCE



[ii] Acts 14: 22 NRSVCE

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