Christians should always play second fiddle to God. And no matter how much we grow as Christians, there will always be other Christians to whom we should play second fiddle. Sometimes those roles go back and forth.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Acts 13:2 The Holy Ghost said, ‘Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.’
Read Acts 13:1 – 13, 43.
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles at Walk With The King Today and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages. Used with written permission.
His nickname was ‘the Son of Consolation.’ Barnabas must have been a comfortable person to be with. Surely he had a heart for God and for His people, demonstrated by his prompt action in selling a piece of land and giving the proceeds to the apostles. Furthermore, Barnabas was not afraid to stand up for the new convert, Saul of Tarsus, lately arrived in Jerusalem from Damascus. ‘They were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles’ (Acts 9:26-27).
Now came the Holy Spirit’s call which launched Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey. Barnabas, as the elder and more experienced brother, was captain of the team. The trip began as ‘Barnabas and Saul’ (13:2). But by the end of Acts 13, we read about ‘Paul and Barnabas’ (vv. 43, 46). Something had happened: Paul was now the leader or spokesman and Barnabas was second in importance. It was a tribute to Barnabas’ grace and humility that he did not resent the sudden prominence of the one who might ordinarily be called a novice, not to say an upstart. Barnabas, bless him, was willing to play second fiddle. But his determination to help the underdog resulted finally in separation from Paul. Paul had called John Mark a quitter after he left the team at Perga. Barnabas, however, was not willing to give up on the young man, and took Mark right back along the same route which he had traveled before. He helped Mark face the fact of his failures and to become an effective soul-winner. Later, Paul could write of Mark, ‘He is profitable to me for the ministry.’
Small thought here. Be willing to play second fiddle, as long as you can help someone else to succeed for God!
