Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet…went up to the upper room…with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers…And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:12-26
After Jesus had given His final charges to His Disciples, He ascended to Heaven to His coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords. Even today, Jesus is seated at the right hand, the seat of Authority of all Creation, ruling and reigning over His Creation, given to Him by God the Father. During these days before Pentecost, the Disciples are together, in the upper room where Jesus had blessed them, washed their feet and, instituted the Lord’s Supper and, they are led by Peter in prayer and worship. They decide to replace Judas Iscariot with another disciple who had been with them following Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. Peter speaks to the group, about 120 believers, of Judas and the Old Testament prophecies concerning the one who would betray the Messiah. Peter quotes Psalm 69 as being fulfilled by Judas Iscariot in his property purchase and it becoming a graveyard for himself and, metaphorically, all the dead in their sins, not the living. After praying for the casting of lots to show them whom to choose, Matthias was “numbered among the eleven.” This is the only time Scripture speaks of Matthias. He is never mentioned again. Sometime later, we read of Jesus, Himself, appearing to Saul of Tarsus, on the Damascus road, being dramatically converted and, being called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles (that would be you and me, dear Christians). Though the eleven did what they believed to be the right decision replacing Judas Iscariot, we see Jesus, the Head of His Church, His Bride, taking action, from Heaven to reign over His Church then and, He continues today to do so! Let Christians not grow weary in their faith and works because of how the world seems to be. Christians no longer belong to this world system run by Satan and his demons. So, let us bravely and boldly spread the gospel message far and wide and may the Holy Spirit work mightily among us while we await the soon return of our Lord and Messiah, Jesus!
Source: S C Ball April 16, 2023
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