Thoughts for the Day

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus...

So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout 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 must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us 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 added to the eleven apostles.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The new Church in Jerusalem felt the need to replace Judas after his betrayal of Jesus to the authorities. Luke and Matthew have quoted Jesus in their Gospels as saying that the disciples will sit on thrones and judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Luke 22.29-30 and Matthew 19.28). Paul's view was somewhat different, which is understandable since his mission was to the gentiles. What is important in this little passage from the Acts of the Apostles (also written by Luke) is that whoever is chosen to replace Judas must be someone who had been with Jesus in his earthly ministry and who had witnessed his resurrection. We tend to think there were only 12 such men, but of course we should remember that Jesus sent out 70 or 72 men in pairs to heal and cast out demons (Luke 10.1-12), and as well as this, there were many women.

Notice how Matthias is chosen - after prayer! Still today major decisions taken by the Church, are only taken after much prayer. Those going forward for ordination only get discerned as suitable after ordination retreats are held in which worship and prayer dominate. The nitty gritty of trying to see if a person is suitable for such a vocation is undertaken by church leaders, but the final decision will be offered to God. In New Testament times this latter practice was even more clear - two men were chosen and they cast lots for which should be commissioned as the twelfth disciple. The choice would be left to God!

Matthias received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but nothing much is known about him. It is believed that he worked in Judaea before moving to modern day Greece, and was then martyred by crucifixion near the Caspian Sea. St Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor supposedly transported his remains to Rome. Today we remember this important 12th disciple, called along with the other disciples to bear fruit in his life by taking the Gospel to others around the world, and ultimately to die for his Lord.

Collect

Almighty God,
who in the place of the traitor Judas
chose Your faithful servant Matthias
to be of the number of the Twelve:
preserve Your Church from false apostles
and, by the ministry of faithful pastors and teachers,
keep us steadfast in Your truth;
through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord.
Amen.