January 13, 2023 | Be On Mission
Matthias Replaces Judas
Scripture: Acts 1:12-23 (NIV)
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’
and,
“‘May another take his place of leadership.’
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
Devotional
Jesus had chosen twelve disciples. It was an important number. There had been twelve tribes at the founding of Israel thousands of years earlier. Now that Judas had betrayed Jesus out of greed and committed suicide out of remorse, there were only eleven disciples. This wouldn’t do. The apostolic ministry would need twelve leaders. They needed a replacement. So, they cast lots and chose Matthias. This is the first and last time he is mentioned in the Bible.
It is interesting that verse 25 says he was chosen for this “apostolic” ministry. In Greek the word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” Nobody fits that description better than Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the evangelist. Over half of the book of Acts is dedicated to the ministry of Paul. The vast majority of the New Testament letters were written by Paul. I have often wondered if the disciples, acting before the Holy Spirit was given to them, got ahead of themselves in choosing Matthias over Paul. We simply cannot know.
Still, think of that calling to apostolic ministry to be one who is sent to others. The overall theme of this year’s study is “Be on Mission.” That is not simply a call for people like Peter and Matthias and Paul. It is a call for you and me. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you are on mission for Jesus.
Too often, we think of missionaries as people who go to difficult places to do missionary work. That definition is not wrong. But the missionary image you are picturing might be incomplete. Do you want to see a missionary up close and personal? Look in the mirror.
This year-long study is not primarily about how God used other people to spread the good news of Jesus. It is really about how the Lord wants to use you to do it. Last year’s study was called, “Be with Jesus.” This year’s is called, “Be on Mission.” Together, they form a powerful one-two punch.
Think about your neighborhood, work, school and gym. You know, the places you live, work, learn and play. What are some ways you could be on mission in those arenas in this coming year?
Poem
Choreography
The every-day-ness of life
Routine
Normal
Becomes choreography
A two-step hokey-pokey
Where movements
Rhythm
Drones
Repeatedly
Normal
Then enters a change
Crisis
Jolt
Recreates choreography
A riotous jazz
Where movements
Chaotic
Off balance
Unexpected
Throes
Then enters a new way
Disconcerting
Discontentment
Expels choreography
A modern dance
Where movements
Experiment
Tentative
Passionate
New normal
