Barnabas exhaled with such force that his candle was almost extinguished.

He had been so immersed in his thoughts that he noticed only now the island breezes had died down on his native Cyprus; that told him it was later than he had realized. He dropped his stylus and rubbed his eyes, only to feel the scars on his fingers. They reminded him anew of everything Paul and he had endured. I do miss my friend, Barnabas thought, and with that, another cascade of memories plunged him back in time—swaying through the Mediterranean, preaching in Syria, convalescing in Lystra, and, well, that unpleasant day in their home base of Antioch when everything came to a head. How many more times would he hark back and feel his heart sink? After all the good they had done together, how could their words become so contentious?

Barnabas had written this letter in his head, it seemed, a thousand times. He always had worn his heart on his sleeve, but now he had committed it to parchment. He pulled the candle closer, ready for a final read. . .

"Barnabas, your fellow bondservant of Christ Jesus, to my dear brother Paul. Grace to you, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

"I so long to see you and embrace you, for I am certain that you are as ready to ask forgiveness as I. But I moreso because of the stubbornness I demonstrated by insisting upon taking along John Mark to revisit the churches. While I dearly love my young cousin, I should have been more sensitive to your counsel. I, more than anyone, know the validity of your apostleship. You have spoken with the resurrected Lord Himself, and I should have submitted to your authority. But you know that long ago, the brothers changed my name from Joseph to Barnabas because they nicknamed me 'Son of Encouragement.' I hope you will understand that I was simply trying to show John Mark forgiveness and give him a chance to redeem himself in the work.

"Paul, I ask your forgiveness. I know the Lord personally has commissioned you, and, therefore, you are a man of great purpose and determination. I should have known you would not want to risk another setback after John Mark departed from us in Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem, where he likely more than anyone stirred up the Judaizers. This created great difficulty, as we had to travel from Antioch to conduct the Jerusalem Council. (Acts 15) But God used even this for His glory. The decree we were given to take back to Antioch has opened many doors for the Gospel, and according to reports, great numbers of Jews and Gentiles are worshiping together in the place where we first were labeled 'Christians.'

"My heart aches deeply when our sharp contention comes to mind. I would rather recount all our good:

"I recall the Lord gave me credibility in the Jerusalem church by directing me to sell my land here in Cyprus and donate the proceeds for the brethren. (Acts 4:36-37) This credibility ultimately benefited you—remember? Those in Jerusalem still did not believe the reports of your conversion until I vouched for you and told how boldly and faithfully you had been preaching in Damascus. (Acts 9:26-30) I'm thankful that the Lord used me to help you get started, not only in Jerusalem but also in Antioch.

"Being a Jew and a Levite, I originally was unsure of the reports from Antioch. That so many of the Greek-speaking Jews were believing in one city astounded the Jerusalem church, so the brethren sent me to check on the situation. They humbled me by saying I was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith! When I arrived in Antioch and saw God's great work, I could not help thinking of you and your commission. That is why I soon visited in order to bring you from Tarsus. (Acts 11:19-26) I'm still grateful for how the Lord again used me to expand your ministry. Do you remember all of those prayer meetings during our year there? Our worship? Our service? It would seem that we had one heartbeat!

"When the believers in Antioch sent the famine relief by our hands to the Jerusalem church, it was the start of what I consider the most glorious journey of my life. Each day, I think of our travels and trials. Each day, I miss you more and more.

"I hear that the Lord continues His miraculous work through Silas and you. Greet Silas for me, and may God bless him. Greet all the churches I have visited. I remember you in my prayers night and day. If the Lord wills and you permit me, I plan to join you again, perhaps in Ephesus, and accompany you from there. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ—and my love—be with you all. Amen."

Barnabas smiled and began rolling up the parchment. He sensed he would see Paul again. "Maybe," he whispered, "this will encourage him."

—Tim Luke