Read:
Reflect:
Luke tells us one more story of what Jesus’ followers did before the day of Pentecost. It shows that they took responsible action while they waited. They didn’t just sit around waiting for something to happen, but started to deal with matters that needed to be taken care of fairly promptly. In this story the apostle Peter took the lead, surely a sign of the prominent role he would play in the church in the days ahead. So what was the responsible action which they took, spearheaded by Peter’s leadership?
They found a replacement for Judas Iscariot. He had betrayed Jesus and then taken his own life, which is described in unusually graphic language in verse 18. So he needed to be replaced to bring the number of apostles back up to twelve, a number important as a parallel to the ancient twelve tribes of Israel. Peter realized this and brought the matter to the attention of the 120. It was necessary to find a replacement for Judas for the Scripture had to be fulfilled (v 16). Peter discerned that the Holy Spirit had spoken about this through David and quoted from two Psalms (69:25; 109:8) in support (v 20). The others came to agree with him. What this indicates is that Peter, and no doubt his companions, diligently searched the Scriptures for guidance while they waited for the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise. This a simple but important lesson for us to learn. Searching the Scriptures with an open mind and willing heart is crucial to discovering God’s purpose and direction. As the Psalmist says:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Matthias, who was chosen and added to the eleven apostles, had to meet several criteria to qualify for the position. First, he had to be a follower of Jesus present throughout his earthly ministry; from John’s baptism until Jesus’ ascension. He had to have accurate knowledge of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus to become a credible apostolic witness. Secondly, he had to be humble and accept the fact that he might not be chosen. Afterall, there was another equally qualified candidate, Joseph, who might be the Lord’s choice. He had to submit to the choice of the community who after prayer cast lots to determine the outcome. Thirdly, he had to have a heart fully committed to the Lord to take on this role. This was not his personal career choice; the Lord who knows all hearts would make the decision (v 24).
The role Matthias was to fulfill is described as a ministry and apostleship (v 25). What this meant specifically was that he would become a witness to his (Jesus’) resurrection (v 22). First of all as an official witness of one who had actually met and seen the risen Lord after his bodily resurrection, but also as a witness to all that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus meant for people. The eleven apostles, now joined by Matthias, would become the initial proclaimers of the good news of God’s salvation purposes for the world, realized in the redemptive work of Jesus. As St Paul put it so eloquently, the church would be:
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22).
Respond:
May we to become diligent in searching the Scriptures for God’s will, faithful in prayer for divine guidance, and eager to bear witness to Jesus’ resurrection (including all the rich blessings that his rising from the dead has brought into reality). Just like Peter boldly gave witness to the salvation only to be found in Jesus.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)