Eenie, Meenie, Miney...Mathias

In those Days...

The days between Ascension and Pentecost—probably about a week

The disciples…not just the apostles…120 in all, gathered together at Jerusalem

It appears that the Apostles and the women who had travelled with them were lumped together., for the most part, the others surrounding them

Interesting that there is no record of “why are they so special” regarding the Apostles and the rest of the group

The question arises of all of them in one room? It would appear that this is where they met together…not all in a group residence

They were devoting themselves to prayer—possibly for the promise of Acts 1 4

Acts 1:4 ESV

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;

The promise being the Holy Spirit

Other possibilities…the future of their work; direction in it?

What to do next?

Safety from the Jewish leadership?

We note that “Mary the mother of Jesus AND HIS BROTHERS were among the group

Interesting development, since they thought he was at best suffering from stress, at worse, crazy only some months before! (John 7 5 tells us that they didn’t believe in Him, but 1 Cors 15 7, recites a meeting between Jesus and His brother James

The Rise of a Spokesman

We preached on Peter once before

The Peter of the Gospels to the Peter who wrote two of the general epistles

He’d been the first to speak without thinking…in his defense, at least he said something

He got some things right: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

He was called out by Jesus for being wrong

Jesus said that he was going to die

Peter said “NOT ON MY WATCH

Jesus replied “Get behind me, Satan”

“I’ll always follow you, Lord, even if the rest desert you” We know how that worked out

In the courtyard of the High Priest...

We see, after his three-fold denial, Jesus restored him in Jo. 20

“Peter, do you love me? (too much there to unpack this morning)

Now, it was Peter who said something…made something happen

v. 15 ff… “Peter stood up …and said....

The Reiteration of the Scripture

Instead of shooting from the hip…or lips…Peter went to Scripture!

What a novel concept!?!?!?!

Also setting the record straight on the events of the previous days

Things had not ended well for Judas

The paid traitor had been overcome with guilt

Attempted to return the money

What Did Happen to Judas

This text has him falling and being disemboweled; Matt. 27 has him hanging himself

This text has him buying a field, Matt. 26 has the priests buying it with the money he had tried to return

Good scholarship, and a bit of knowledge of such things, allows for him to have hanged himself, the rope broke or the tree snapped…and you can visualize the rest

Essentially, the priests couldn’t be accused of using “blood money” if they purchased the field in Judas’s name; possible guess on location was SE of Jerusalem, in the HInnom Valley

Now, Peter brought up the empty seat at the table…11 does not equal 12

Why 12?

Suggestion is the parallel to the 12 tribes of Israel—no solid answer

Certainly Rev gives us some clues…but it’s year after this

The Psalms Revisited

Show’s Peter’s familiarity with Scripture…and high view of it

Peter cites Ps 69:25 & 109:8 as reasoning to choose a replacement

Both considered royal psalms and imprecatory psalms

Interesting Choice of a Word

In v. 16, “Scripture had to be fulfilled...” and v. 22, “must become...” use “dei” which implies a logical or divine necessity, or obligation

It can’t happen any other way

The Replacement of an Apostle

Interesting that James is killed later in the narrative, yet there is no need seen to replace him—hmmmm

May look forward to Rev. 21 14

Revelation 21:14 ESV

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Scholars suggest it is because James died in service as an apostle; Judas as a traitor or deserter of the cause

Interesting that some think they should have waited and had Paul fulfil the role—that would have left an empty slot for some time

The 11 set parameters, a follower since the beginning, one who stayed the course

They PRAYED

Two candidates put forward, not a question of moral suitability, but which was more suited to the role, by God’s standard

We have no background information on either man

An unlikely selection process—the last time the casting of lots was recorded in Scripture

Though it was a fully acceptable process- Pr. 16 33

Proverbs 16:33 ESV

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Matthias went on to…do nothing that is recorded in Scripture

Traditions record that he died as a martyr…but no real agreement on where/how

Scripture is equally silent on the other candidate—”old what’s his name”

WITFM

Looking at Peter

Despite several false starts, he rises to the occasion—becomes the shepherd Jesus told him to be, leading this fledgling flock

He knew the Scripture

He went to the Scripture

He saw what needed to be done

He did it

A lesson for us: when facing uncertainties, GO TO THE SCRIPTURE

You may not find something exactly fitting the situation; but you’ll find a purpose, a principle or a character attribute of God

Of course, that means you must be versed in the Scripture

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing

For Peter, this was just the beginning

Maybe you will be used just once, and in a mighty way, maybe in a continuing role…we’ll not know, until we jump in and go

Looking at the Disciples

They recognized Peter’s leadership

Followed his instructions

Sorted out and found two candidates that fit the bill

Even within this there is obedience--

Looking at the Candidates

They had been consistent

For roughly 3 years, they’d been among the larger group of the disciples

Soaking up the fellowship and Jesus’ teaching

Watching Him work, getting some of the in-depth teaching Jesus gave

Willing to step up to the next level, content with the outcome of the decision—the casting of the lot

Also, content with relative obscurity

In the greater scheme of things, there are far more faithful unknowns than faithful well-knowns

Looking at Ourselves

Will we stand up and lead if it’s necessary?

We’re talking spiritual leadership

Will we take direction from our leaders if and when that becomes necessary?

Will be content to live in relative obscurity if that’s what God calls us to do?

The vast majority of churches are about the size of ours

As we work through this great book, we only find a handful of people with their names noted…but it took the work of all of them to accomplish the work