Rev. Richard P. Smith
Read Acts 1:12-26 / The Choosing Of Matthias
Acts 1:12-26 describes one of the most interesting scenes in all of the Bible. After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples return to Jerusalem. Among them are the eleven, Mary mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brothers and many other followers who’ve been with them all the way.
Peter stands up and tells them that they need to select among them someone to replace Judas. The requirements are that this person must have been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry and must have witnessed the resurrection. Luke, the author of Acts, tells us there were about 120 persons gathered there.
Within this group, they nominate Justus and Matthias. They pray for God’s desire, cast lots (the Biblical version of drawing straws), and Matthias is chosen. NEVER TO BE HEARD FROM AGAIN!
There is no mention of him prior to this occasion and there is no mention of him after this occasion. However, there is much we can learn, I think, from this silent or hidden apostle.
In our text Peter said that the one who would be chosen to replace Judas must be a person who had been a follower of Jesus from the very beginning. Here’s what Peter says: We must choose among the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us.
So, let’s get this straight…Matthias has been in the entourage who followed Jesus from beginning to end:
- He was there when Jesus started his public ministry
- He was there when Jesus shared his Sermon on the Mount
- He was there when Jesus fed the 5000
- He was there when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was crucified
- He was there when Jesus appeared to his followers following his resurrection
Without fanfare, without recognition, without need for commendation, Matthias went with Jesus and helped out however was needed. How do we know this? Because he was nominated to be one of the ones vying for the new 12th apostle position. Had he not been regularly and routinely faithful, he would not have been nominated and certainly not elected.
Someone has said that Matthias is the patron saint of “stepping into the gap”; that is, he’s the patron saint of all those who step up and do whatever needs to be done to help the cause of Jesus and to advance the Kingdom. Thanks be to God for all those who serve as Matthias did.
All too often, both in church life and civic life, the ones receiving acclaim are the more notable characters; the front and center volunteers; the ones whose leadership is obvious; the ones who everyone recognizes as key figures in a defined endeavor.
And yet, no organization can achieve its purpose without the behind-the-scenes workers; the rarely recognized volunteers; the ones who shy away from notoriety; the ones who gladly sacrifice time and commitment without any need for recognition let alone acclaim.
In the Christian witness, thanks be to God for those who just love Jesus, gladly serve him, and who answer the call to step up and step out doing the mundane work, the grunt work, the off-center-stage work!
While never seeking it, these faithful servants deserve our deep and abiding gratitude! Who do you know that fits this model?
