Acts 1:15-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus--he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."

 

 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

 

"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.' Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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."

 

So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

 

Apparently part of the disciples’ time was spent praying about Judas and what to do now that he was gone. And as they prayed, they were searching the Scriptures. That’s the full loop of a relationship with anyone, including God – a person talks and then listens, listens and then talks. Pray and hear from the Scriptures, hear from the Scriptures and pray.

 

The disciples found that the Holy Spirit (whom they had not yet received) had already told them about Judas in the Scriptures through David. Judas had betrayed Jesus and the ministry, but his reward had led to his death. And this was just as the Scriptures had said: “May his place be deserted, let there be no one to dwell in it.” But the Scriptures also said, “May another take his place of leadership.”

 

So based on what the Holy Spirit said (notice, the disciples did not find this through some inner voice, but through the recorded words of the Bible), Peter led the disciples to choose another witness of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension to be numbered with the remaining eleven apostles. Peter and the disciples sought to obey God as they prayed and waited for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

Two men’s names came forward who fit the qualifications that the disciples felt led by God to set. And then, rather than making the decision themselves, the disciples did everything they could to leave the decision in God’s hands. They prayed again, this time asking God to show them which of these two men He had chosen to take over this apostolic ministry (because from outward appearances, both men seemed qualified, but the apostles knew that only God can see the heart). And then, rather than debating about which of the two each person felt led to call to the apostolic ministry, they simply cast lots, again leaving the decision in God’s hands. The apostles certainly didn’t believe in chance, but in the sovereignty of God. The lot fell to Matthias, so he was added to the apostles’ number.

 

Father, thank you for this wonderful example of dependence on You in decision making. The apostles were praying. They sought to understand Your will from Your word. Once they understood Your will, they acted on it. But rather than taking the whole decision into their hands, they found a couple of good options that matched their understanding of Your word. And they gave the decision back to You. In prayer. And in casting lots. They simply trusted You. Father, help me to trust You so much that I could do the same, obey Your word to the extent that I knew how and then pray and roll the dice to decide which of the good options in front of me I should follow, trusting You to control the dice. At the same time, Father, help me not to just leave everything to the dice precisely because You have called me to obey You, to use my mind and my effort in seeking Your will. Help me to listen to You, demonstrate my trust in you by doing what I can to the extent I am able, and then to demonstrate my continued trust in You where my wisdom and abilities end by putting all things in Your hands.