August 20, 2009 - Acts 9:26-27a.

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.” Acts 9:26-27a.
Not long after Saul became a follower of Jesus, after having escaped from those in Damascus who wanted to kill him, he arrived in Jerusalem. Saul was seeking to join with the leadership of the early followers to learn and to offer his service in the community. Because of Saul’s previous reputation, the leadership was skeptical and nervous about allowing into their circle. Barnabas, who was one of the early leaders, took the risk, reached out to Saul, and “brought him to the apostles.” Saul’s reputation of persecuting the followers of Jesus was not diminished by the rumors of his change of heart.
There is part of me that is like these early leaders, who were skeptical about someone with a questionable standing. It was always a challenge and a risk for me to come along side of someone who was trying to overcome their previous negative reputation. There have been times when I have been taken advantage of, yet there have also been times when I risked standing with someone who was going through very tough problems and needed someone to help them process their situations. My reputation was on the line, but great satisfaction came when they proved to be worthy of support. It is, also, important to remember who stood alongside of us, supporting us, when we were totally disreputable and worthy of rejection. As the Message translation puts it: “And the Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.”
Questions to consider: Have you ever been skeptical about someone’s reputation? Have you ever gone against your skepticism and supported someone when it was really risky to do so? Has anyone ever risked their reputation for you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting Your reputation on the line in coming into this world to support us when we did not deserve it. Help us to do the same within our spheres of influence. Amen.