What a character

What biblical character do you most resemble? You can't pick Jesus, OK? If you're finding it hard to think of a Bible figure that comes closest to yourself, then who is it within the 66 books of the Scriptures that you would most like to emulate? Again, let's take Jesus out of the possibilities -- since, if you are a Christian reading this column, it is assumed you wish to be more like him.

A friend of mine from St. Louis County reminds me of Caleb, the Israelite spy who returned from the land of Canaan. My friend is an electrical contractor. He bids various jobs, competing with other contractors while managing a sizable staff. He is also a man of faith who has suffered tremendous personal loss in recent years. He does not give up easily.

Biblical Caleb didn't throw up his hands either, if you recall. In Numbers 13, Moses sent out a dozen men to spy on the promised land of Canaan. Forty days later, the men returned to make their reconnaissance report. It would be more accurate to use the plural here. Moses received two reports -- a majority opinion with a minority rebuttal.

The opinion of the majority was clear. To put a fine point on it, "Let's not go in there, Moses. We'll get slaughtered." That's a paraphrase but essentially accurate. Most of the spies believed the people were "strong," "of great size," living in towns that were "fortified and very large." Employing a vivid metaphor, the Israelite leader was also told, "we seemed like grasshoppers ... to them."

Caleb issued his dissent: "Let us go up at once and occupy [Canaan], for we are well able to overcome it." Later, Joshua would join Caleb in his minority view. (Caleb was a persuasive fellow, as is my friend.) Together the two dissenting spies told Moses, "The Lord is with us; do not fear them." When I think of my friend running his company up north, I think of old Caleb facing a foe he was convinced would not get in God's way.

A Cape Girardeau businesswoman told me she identifies with Onesimus -- not the best-known figure in Scripture, to be sure. Her business, which is successful, is quite demanding, requiring long hours and many nights sacrificed. She explained that she, at times, feels chained to her occupation. Fortunately, she loves her work and now considers it a form of ministry, but just the same, her presence is continually required. The struggles of Onesimus, the slave who ran away and whose story is briefly told in the letter to Philemon, resonate.

For myself, my hope is to be someone like Barnabas. I'm not sure I resemble him, but his example is a worthy goal for me. Barnabas may have written the letter to the Hebrews, an epistle that is a stirring defense of the Christian faith. In my mind, Hebrews is vitally important to know and understand in order to effectively stand up for Christ in a religiously pluralistic (some say post-Christian) age.

It's Barnabas' encouragement of others, though, that makes me admire this first-century disciple. Barnabas partnered John Mark, who had been dismissed by St. Paul. His decision to be a deacon (literally, "servant") freed Jesus' apostles to teach and spread the message. Paul would complain that Barnabas was not sufficiently tough-minded (Galatians 2:13), yet it's evident Barnabas cared mostly about relationships. While Paul might ask, "What have you done?" Barnabas would query, "How are you doing?"

So what Bible figure would you most like to copy as 2009 begins?

Jeff Long is pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Married with two daughters, he is of Scots and Swedish descent, loves movies and is a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.