Filling in the Gap

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain that is called Olive Grove which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying—Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (and it was a crowd of persons of about one hundred twenty at the same place) and said, “Men and brothers, it was necessary that the scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit proclaimed beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, because he was counted among us and received a share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field for the wages of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out. And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language “Akeldama,” that is, “Field of Blood.”) “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,’ and, ‘Let another person take his position.’ Therefore it is necessary for one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us—one of these men must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.” And they proposed two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was called Justus) and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show clearly which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to depart to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to serve with the eleven apostles.

Pray

The Upper Room

After the ascension of Jesus who is God the disciples go back to Jerusalem. It was a Sabbath’s day walk. Sabbath’s day walk is about 2/3 of a mile = 2000 cubits. On a sabbath one can’t walk more than that according to Jewish law. Does this mean Jesus Ascended on the Sabbath which would be Saturday? Maybe but not clear.

They go to the upper room where they were staying, might be the same place they had observed Jesus last supper, might be the room where Jesus appeared just after he rose from the dead or Or maybe it was a room in the house of Mary, John Marks’ mother. This is where the church later meets. See Acts 12:12 for that.

Who is there?

There are eleven disciples there

Judas had killed himself

Mary and the mother of Jesus and his brothers: James, Judas, Joseph, Simon. James is the only broth of Jesus who is named in Acts. Mark 7 tells us that these people didn’t believe in Jesus before the resurrection.

There were Women: might have been Jesus’ sisters, Mary Magdalene, Another Mary, Salome, Joanna, Susanna

And others that are mentioned throughout the Gospels

This group makes up the nucleus or center of the early church

In all there are about 120 and Matthias is chosen.

Peter leads the group in Healing

They devoted themselves to prayer

Peter takes up the lead role. He is the one that the church will be built on. Remembered for his betrayal of Jesus, But has such a more important role. Peter addresses the group and handles the question that was obviously on many minds.

Why did Jesus choose Judas?

This is still something that people debate today. This betrayal was an embarrassment to the whole community. It Angered some, Saddened others, And made some question the belief in Jesus.

How could he choose a traitor?

Peter turns to Psalms

He speaks of the betrayal being the fulfillment of scriptures

Psalms 69:25 and 109:8

But He tells the group. God is doing something within the divine plan. We don’t have to understand it. Not in his revealed will. Judas served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus.

Luke now adds in a parenthesis concerning the fate of Judas which works with Matthew 27.

Tradition is this:

Jesus was captured by the Jewish authorities and brought before palate. Judas was sorry for what he had done. He returned to the priests and declared that he had betrayed innocent blood and through the thirty pieces of silver on the floor of the Temple. Judas then went away and hanged himself. The priest deliberated on the matter of disposal of the money and finally purchased a field which they converted to a cemetery for strangers.

Filling in the Gap

What they do here is more important than the tradition of Judas. The disciples looked to fill in the gap that was caused by the betrayal of Judas. And they decided through casting lots and prayer, And through narrowing it down to the people that had been with them the whole time. Which means he was there but not quite a disciple, and Matthias becomes the new Disciple. Elevated to disciple.

Why did they fill they had to replace Judas?

Was it because 12 represents the whole nation of Israel, In part. But it was because there was a missing Gap in the Ministry. Not because they needed 12 people. 12 is not a miracle number. 12 was the way in which there group was established and the way there ministry was set up.

There was a break in the ministry.

I think that happens a lot in our churches. There are gaps in our ministries. Why because people aren’t filling the gaps. Too much of (Eze 22:30) Going on.

Ezekiel 22:30 CSB

I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.

I Looked and I found none.

Why is there a lack of people filling the gap?

Because there is a lack of people being with God and connecting as a body of believers. Don’t feel like part of the family. To much consumerism in Church. What do I mean by that. If you are asking what can I get out of church or what does the church offer me? That is consumerism. We consume but we don’t serve.

Next Steps

What are you doing to be involved?

I am not talking about programs. I am talking about Walking with God and joining him in Ministry.

Filling in the gap. For God. We represent God. Take on the mindset and actions of God. We need to be living such lives that we can say live like I do and you will be living with God.

The Church is full of empty slots. Gaps.

Will you be the one to fill the gap?

Pray

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