Replacing Judas

24. August 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

Our text for today is:

Acts 1:12 Then they 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, 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– 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18 (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. 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 went in and out 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 proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “LORD, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Our text today gives us the people who were in the upper room waiting on the infilling of the holy spirit.  It lists the disciples along with the women and Jesus’ mother and his brothers.   There is also a Judas mentioned but of course this was not Judas Iscariot the betrayer but Judas the son of James. The total was about 120.

While they were there, Peter began to teach on the replacement of Judas according the to the prophecy given in Psalms that “his place be deserted and let another take his place of leadership.”

They decided to cast lots among the men who have constantly been with them while Jesus was on earth and was a witness of his resurrection.  They chose Joseph and Matthias and the lot fell on Matthias.  Though the lot fell on Matthias, you will never hear about him again in scripture or any of his accomplishments.   Scholars argue that the Lord’s choice was Paul to become the one to replace Judas and we know that Paul is called on the road to Dasmacus and he gets his training personally from the resurrected Jesus in the desert.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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