Replacing Judas
Acts 1:21-26.
“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
“beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
And they prayed and said, “You Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
“to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Dear Children of the Heavenly Father,
Having established from scripture that another should take the place of Judas (v. 20), it was time to see the process through.
Prerequisites (v. 21-22).
Whoever took the place of Judas had to be qualified for the job. He had to have been with Jesus and the apostles from the beginning (the baptism of John) to the end (when he was taken up). Jesus had a lot of devoted followers but some have joined him somewhere in the middle. As Peter says, the one chosen was to become a witness with the eleven to the resurrection. A witness must be familiar with the facts of the case about which he testifies.
Prayer (v. 23-25).
Having chosen two who met the criteria, the disciples prayed that God would reveal his choice. The prayer specifically mentioned the fact that God knew “the hearts of all.” It is possible for one to fool everyone except God, so the disciples sought God’s guidance in this crucial choice.
Preference (v. 26).
The lots that were cast could have been stones or other items that were marked and drawn out in turn, or it could have been some form of practice that is not known to us but which resulted in a clear choice. The lot fell on Matthias and he became an apostle, along with the other eleven.
It is possible that the number twelve mirrored the twelve tribes of Israel and the number needed to be complete because Jesus was establishing a “New Israel.” At times God uses such symbolism to emphasize a truth. Are there truths you need to pay attention to?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.