“In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
(With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
“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.’
Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 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.”
So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.“
Acts 1:15-26
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AUGUST 28, 2024
Reading the book of Acts 2000 years or so after it was written, we run the inevitable risk of reading the end of the story into the characters’ thoughts and actions early on. We know that Pentecost is right around the corner. We know that these 120 discombobulated Jewish men and women waiting and praying will not have to wait long, but will be filled with the Spirit, sent as messengers around the Roman world, and begin a movement that is still growing, a movement we are part of yet today.
But they did not know any of this. What they thought they knew—that Jesus was the Messiah come to restore the nation of Israel and free her from empire-oppression—had blown up in their faces not once, but twice. All they knew was that Jesus was alive, yet in Heaven, and they were told to wait.
In the meantime, they had no end of fear and grief to grapple with. Not only the Jesus stuff, but so much more. A friend-who-was-closer-than-a-brother had betrayed them all, then killed himself. As they process this shock and loss (on top of all the other shocks and losses), Peter realizes they need to find a replacement.
What stands out to me in the process of replacing Judas is how these folks are waiting.
As they wait, they are together. The 120 have not gone back to their homes and jobs, but remain in this area around Jerusalem. Even though Jesus is gone and they are in a whirlwind, they remain not only faithful in heart but in body.
As they wait, they are searching the scriptures. With their previous understandings debunked by Jesus Himself, Peter turns to scripture to make sense of what is happening, what God is doing, and what they should do next.
As they wait, they are in prayer. Even after Peter lays out his ideas, the group turns to prayer, seeking God’s direction not primarily in the compelling words of charismatic leaders but in quietness and humility.
In this liminal moment of danger and uncertainty, this community turns neither to fight nor flight but to discernment.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What evidence do you see in this passage that Peter and the group were turning to each other, to scripture, and to prayer to make sense of their circumstances?
- When have you needed to do the same?
Church Reading Plan: Lamentations 5; Psalm 36