“Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul” [Acts 11:25(RAV)]

“Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul”. You couldn’t have found a kinder man. He was both a source of consolation, as his name means, and an encouragement. Saul owes his being launched into his mission to the Gentiles to Barnabas because he came and sought him out for the task.
Less gentle brethren, even Saul (later Paul) found it hard to go along with this loving, forgiving brother. But Barnabas persisted in his gracious approach and it was seen to bring others back to line who had wandered astray – notably John Mark whom Paul later acknowledged to be a valued brother.
Barnabas was a man of foresight. He could see what was needed and could pick the man who would meet that need. Hence his journey to fetch Saul.
We need more like Barnabas today.