Replacing Judas

(Acts 1:12-26)

Matthew 26:47–50 (NASB95)

47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

Introduction:

The history of God redeeming His people is right on schedule… always is… always has

As we move forward in the book of Acts, we see that redemption has 3 great elements

1st: The OT. Full of promises that are ALL fulfilled in Christ… and point towards His arrival.

2nd: The Gospels. Tell of His arrival / accomplishment / departure.

3rd: The Book of Acts. Depicts the continuing work of God as the apostles preach the gospel and establish churches to fulfill the great commission.

Jesus proved His deity… preached His kingdom… promised His Spirit

When we come to verses 12 to 26, we come to the situation regarding Judas. 

Recorded so we get some closure on the life of Judas

But also to show us that not even the most horrendous, unthinkable apostasy by one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ can in any sense thwart the progress of God’s plan, even betrayal at the most intimate level is no surprise to God.  It was anticipated in the Old Testament.  It was anticipated by the Lord Jesus Christ… God’s purpose unfolded exactly as He designed it.

Peter, within his sermon in the next chapter says:

Acts 2:23 “23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.”

In chapter 4, Peter and James were praying and said:

Acts 4:27 “27 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,”

Everybody who had a role in arresting Jesus, trying Jesus, and executing Jesus was fulfilling God’s predetermined plan.

So back to chapter 1.  God’s redemption is on schedule.  And the very action of Judas to betray Him, to deliver Him over, to play a role in the horrible treatment of Christ was all predicted, all prophesied, all included in the plan.  That in no way lessens the guilt of Judas any more than it lessens the guilt of the Jews, than it lessens the guilt of the Gentiles who were all complicit in His death.  God’s redemption is on schedule, unfolding as sovereignly determined.

READ 12-26

It Fulfills The Scriptures:

Acts 1:16 (NASB95)

16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

This is Peter!

He takes charge and says Scripture HAD to be fulfilled

This is the same Peter who said: “No no Lord you aren’t going to die I wont let that happen.” and Jesus said: “Get behind me Satan”

What changed?

He met the risen Lord…

& He LEARNED the scriptures. Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 12.

Their ignorance, through the whole life and ministry of Jesus, came from their INABILITY to connect the OT scripture to the present day. But now He knows, and boldly proclaims that scripture would be fulfilled in Acts 1.

Acts 1:16–17 (NASB95)

16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

17 “For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”

Now thats AMAZING to me!

Peter KNEW the Psalms. Psalms like this one:

Psalm 41:9 “9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.”

Psalm 109:8 “8 Let his days be few; Let another take his office.”

David was speaking about the betrayal… and yet we see that play out 1000 years later in the life of Jesus.

Jesus knew that Judas was that “close friend.”

John 17:12 “12 “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”

The Holy Spirit spoke by the mouth of DAVID, what would be echoed 1000 years later through the mouth of CHRIST!

3 elements… are fulfilled in Acts 1.

The traitor would come from among themselves.

The traitor’s demise.

The traitor’s office would be filled by another.

All three of elements came to pass.

It Fulfills the Scripture.

The Bible we have today can be trusted… we can rely upon it

May we cry out like the Psalmist:

Psalm 18:2 “2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

It Provides A Witness:

Acts 1:20–22 (NASB95)

20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms,

‘Let his homestead be made desolate,

And let no one dwell in it’;

and,

‘Let another man take his office.’

21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—

22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

A witness would be chosen, but not before the death of Judas.

Certainly he was numbered among them. (Acts 1:17)… Yet he was a traitor.

And after fellowshipping with our Lord those 3 years, it’s likely He will cry out those weary words on the last day, “Lord, Lord, Have I not prophesied in your name?”… knowing that he actually DID it, but conceded his heart in the process to but 30 pieces of silver.

Would 10,000 pieces of silver bribe your faith? 1 million? 10 million?

What about just 10 pieces? 5? 1?

Church, today many lukewarm Christians would betray Jesus for FREE if it gave them an ounce of pleasure!

Let that not be so for you. Let that not be so for me.

All of us were betrayers of the risen Lord at some point.

It was our sin that mounted Him upon on that cross.

But the grace of God, is the greatest gift, for it can cleanse a multitude of sins.

The choosing of Matthias presents a 12th witness.

Interestingly enough, Matthias’ NAME means: “gift of God” … and indeed he was to the early Church

But as we approach our text again… notice how important he is to Peter:

Acts 1:21–22 “21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— 22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.””

This was necessary / important / & must come to pass.

Now what did it mean to be a 1st Century apostle?

Witness to life / teaching / miracles / crucifixion / resurrection of Jesus.

Had to be CHOSEN.

WHY is this so important?

Well… #1 It fulfills scripture. (So if scripture was true, it must come to pass)

#2 It provides a witness. (A first person eye witness of our Lord.)

Acts 1:8 “8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.””

Acts 2:32 “32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.”

Matthias, through the storyline of Acts, until he died… would serve as an ADDITIONAL PROOF to VERIFY the faith we hold so dear.

The empty void Judas left behind was filled by someone who wouldn’t abandon Christ or betray Him.

And today , by your words and actions, must make that same choice.

When you consider you’re life, is it not true that one person can make all the difference in the world?

It Satisfies God’s Will:

Acts 1:23–26 (NASB95)

23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen

25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

I think it is SO… important. For us to know that these disciples, on the brink of the church age, SOUGHT the LORD’s, WILL.

First thing: They prayed.

At times today, I’m afraid, it’s hard to pray.

We sin. We get distracted.

We can learn a lesson from these 120 people, that they were “focused, on praying to God”

Pray until you can’t anymore

Pray so the God may not REST by your cries and petitions!

Second thing: They allowed God to choose.

Casting lots?

Jews were familiar, was an OT custom

Land of Canaan divided by lot

Guilt of Achan found out by lot

Saul was selected king by lot

Proverbs 16:33 “33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.” & indeed that was true,

The apostles placed the responsibility of selecting, on the LORD. HE made the choice.

Third thing: They desired to serve.

Develop a dependency upon God.

Moses in the wilderness

David before Goliath

Stephen before his death

We must trust God and serve him with our life.