Reading for today: Acts 1:12-26
Following the ascension of Jesus back into heaven, the followers of Christ returned to Jerusalem, and went to an upstairs room where they prayed and waited obediently for the promise of the Father, which was the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Sometime during these 10 days in which they waited, Peter declared that there was a need to replace Judas, the disgraced disciple who had betrayed Jesus. But the man who was to replace him had to fulfill some essential qualifications. He must be someone who had been with the disciples the whole time from Jesus’ baptism to His ascension. In particular, he must have been an eyewitness of the resurrection of Jesus, just as the rest of the disciples were.
Two men best met these conditions, Joseph called Barsabas, and Matthias. To make the choice between these two men, the disciples first prayed, in recognition that God knew which one He wanted as the twelfth apostle. Then they used the Old Testament method of casting lots.
It should be noted here that they did not cast lots haphazardly. They first selected the two men whom they judged the most worthy to fill the vacancy. Then they prayed about the matter. It may well be that there was nothing to choose between these two men---they were both qualified to fill the position.
In that case the casting of lots, which had very respectable precedent in Hebrew sacred history, was a very reasonable way of deciding on one of the two. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” They believed that God would overrule the laws of chance and show His choice by this means. So, they cast lots, and Matthias was chosen to fill the vacancy left by Judas’ defection.
It is interesting to note that this method is never mentioned again in Scripture. After Pentecost the followers of Christ would rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in these kinds of decisions. The Holy Spirit’s arrival was about to change a lot of things!
Tomorrow: The Holy Ghost blows into town!
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3 comments:
Do you think that perhaps Paul was supposed to be the 12th apostle and they just jumped ahead of God's timing to fill the spot instead of waiting until after Pentecost?!?!?! Or would that be stated in the Bible . . . Just a thought . . . Diane
Pastor Dean
That thought has been proposed by some, but it doesn't seem to stand up to what Scripture says. First of all, Paul did not possess the qualifications set out in vs.21 of Acts 1. In addition, Paul's apostleship was unique in character, as he himself maintained. He was an apostle to the Gentiles, and though he was equal in calling and authority to the others, he never included himself with the Twelve. Besides all that, the Bible does not make any adverse comment about Matthias' place and role. In fact, he is still listed with the apostles when you get to chapter 6.
I find it amazing that Peter, with such an impulsive personality, was able to wait 10 days for anything.
Chris
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