“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus — from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.” So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven. (Acts 1:21-26 NLT)The apostles had lost Judas and it was a shock to them. I am not real sure they realized the full extent of his turning. They had to see some of it, being as close as they were, but, at the same time, they may not have known how far he had fallen.
When he died, they felt like God had to have twelve men. If God didn’t have twelve men, he couldn’t do what he needed to do and the whole process would be stymied.
So they elected another as an apostle. He had impeccable credentials, had done everything they felt an apostle needed to do. He had been with the group since the beginning and they were probably surprised he hadn’t been chosen in the first place. He was great for the job.
And you never hear from him again.
We get so worried that things need to be done in a certain way that we lose the overall purpose and plan of God.
When a church forms as a new body, the first thing they have to do is get a church building. We have to have a place to worship so people will know we are a church. But the question comes up, Why? The Bible says that God is a Spirit and doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 7:47-49).
We feel the need to get all the structure down ourselves (a preacher, a board, a building, church furniture) instead of worshiping God and allowing him to have control.
The apostles felt they had to have twelve or everything would be lost. God said, I will do what I want with my church.
God takes care of the deficiencies, if there are any. The apostles could have done just as well with eleven. But they were uncertain what to do – Jesus had just gone back into heaven and they were in the waiting period – so they engaged in unnecessary busy-work.
Sooner or later, he brought Paul into the group. Of course, he wasn’t what the rest wanted – not known by them, of a bad background, not properly vetted as they thought he should be – but he was what God wanted.
God used Paul a lot and we never hear of Matthias again.
Maybe if we let him do what he wants to do and quit trying to micro-manage his kingdom for him.
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