So, I’m taking about a week with each of these sections. I’m rather enjoying the time to think, to research, to read articles about ideas raised, to check out different translations, and so forth. Hopefully, anyone who is following along doesn’t mind the once a week posting format. This week I am working on Acts 1:12-26 which will finish off the chapter. Part one and part two are linked for you.
Acts 1:12-26 ESV Translation
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Initial Thoughts, questions about contenders
Well, that was a rather gruesome story about the ending of Judas. But it did give the backstory for the need to have a new member of the disciples. I like how they gave the criteria they required to fill the position. Of course I had the question of just who was Joseph Barsabbas/Justus and Matthias.
Who was Joseph Barsabbas/Justus?
Joseph Barsabbas/Justus was one of the many followers of Jesus right from the beginning. We know this because it was one of the requirements to be considered in the running. Justus means “Just one” and was a title probably given due to his integrity. Barsabbas was probably a patrynomic meaning Son of Sabbas (which can mean a variety of things such as son of oath, son of old man. Christian tradition has him as one of the numbered 70, and some guy named Papias says he drank a cup of poison with no harm coming to him. He was Jewish.
The whole cup of poison being drank led me down a bunny trail to Mark 16
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.
That would have been rather cool eh? To know it was poison, and then see God at work saving him? Huh, the things you see when you give some thought to it all eh?
Who was Matthias?
Elected by Lot as one of the apostles replace Judas. Also a Jewish person who had been part of Jesus’ ministry from the beginning. The Apocrypha has him doing ministry in Jerusalem, and possibly having to deal with cannibals at one point.
Acts 1:12-14
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
So, Jesus has ascended. With great joy the disciples went to Jerusalem where they sat around waiting. Jesus had promised to send a helper of great power. So they were all there along with the women and Jesus’ mom and brothers. 11 apostles: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Phillip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas bar James along with the ladies and brothers.
What they were doing was praying together in the upper room where they were staying. Would this be the upper room where they had the Lord’s supper I wonder? I suppose that doesn’t really matter though. The important thing is they were in a safe place that they knew well.
But don’t miss this part they were “with one accord”. How often do a group of believers get together and be of one accord. They weren’t arguing
Acts 1:15-20
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’
Judas’ Result Foretold?
Other than the fact this passage is a bit gruesome with the whole manner of death for Judas I was stunned to read that all of this was foretold. The passages Peter quoted come from the book of Psalms. Sometimes I forget how prophecy’s can be layered with more than one future foretold. There is so much depth in scripture that it’s easy to forget to keep looking for more. Like I’ve read the book of Acts more than once, but somehow in all that time I glossed over this whole passage.
Psalm 69:25
May their camp be a desolation;
let no one dwell in their tents.
Psalm 109:8
May his days be few;
may another take his office!
Suicide or Accident?
I was also surprised by the “falling head long he burst open in the middle” as my understanding was that Judas committed suicide. But as I researched this a bit, I was reminded that one needs to consider the authors perspective and the timeline they might be using. For instance Matthew, who tells us about Judas’ suicide speaks of the first action, whereas Luke speaks to the result of the suicide. Imagine what would happened if You killed yourself and where cut down (or had the rope you used break). You just might fall head down and burst open as well… bodies do interesting things once they are dead. (as gruesome as that might be to contemplate. I found Answering Islam helpful in working through this passage.
Be a Detective
I guess what I need to remember sometimes is that every time someone tells a story, particularly if more than one person tells the story, each person will bring something different out. And tell it from their own perspective and if one listens to ALL the stories, you’ll discover the truth. So we can’t expect Matthew to tell the story in the same way that Luke does. Means that we need to read the bible like a detective solves a case. Sifting through the details until you see the whole story, until you see God at work.
I was thinking about this at work this morning, having a bit of a difficult day, and I got to thinking about how even when we think we know the scriptures we don’t always. When Jesus rose from the dead he met with some of his followers. He took time to explain the Old Testament scriptures to them. As he did so, he pointed out all the scriptures that pointed to him and explained who he was. They were amazed at what he taught them.
So we shouldn’t be surprised when we too are amazed at what God teaches us in his word. Or even that we sometimes struggle with understanding it.
Bad Choices
So we know the Judas died. And it was the result of his own bad choices. He did something he shouldn’t have, felt bad about it, and died as a result. 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
It was Judas’ choice to betray his Lord and Master. And it was because of his action, his remorse, that he died and that the Field of Blood came into being. And everyone knew about it. Therefore he forfeited his place among the 12 so a new member needed to be chosen.
Acts 1:21-26
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The Criteria
Judas. No longer one of the 12. They are down to 11. And Peter, with the 120 peoples gathered around sets out the criteria needed for a replacement. This person needs to be a follower of Jesus from baptism through resurrection. This person will join them as a witness to Jesus’ resurrection.
Two people were chosen. Barsabbas Justus and Matthias. .
You know what I notice here? They did all their deliberations but before they moved forward they prayed about it. Their prayer wasn’t all elaborate with flowery words, but simple. You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
Casting of Lots
The process after was simple enough. They drew lots and Matthias became the replacement apostle. Drawing lots is an age old method for determining the will of the gods (or God in the early Christian church).
Casting of Lots hasn’t really died out though I think. In many places, faith based or not, people often vote on who should be in a leadership position. Our voting system is more or less based on the casting of lots don’t you think? And who leads our land is in fact God’s choice. Do most people vote in a prayerful manner? In the non-faith based environment, I don’t think so. But I would hope people of faith would take the time to pray before making their “cast lot”.
It’s indeed a good reminder to me that I don’t need to be all fancy in my prayers, that simplicity works. And that I need to be more mindful of talking to God about decisions that need making. OH… and that I make them in light of the scriptures. After all, the apostles didn’t willy-nilly decide to vote in a new apostle. They followed the mandates of scripture.
Closing Thoughts
It’s good to know who people in the bible are. Not because it will change my life, but it helps to know who the players are you know? It’s good to know that Matthias had a ministry as an apostle. But Barabbas Justus, he didn’t just disappear. Can you imagine proving scripture true and drinking poison and living to tell about it?
A reminder to think through what I am doing. Do I want to do such wickedness that I’d be led to kill myself? I am not, what I would call, the most fervent believer out there. God, in his mercy, continually draws me back to him. God, always minds me and his Spirit checks me from being more wicked than I already am.
A call to be more faithful in prayer, particularly when I’m in a decision making mode. I’m not saying I have to talk with God about what to plant in my garden! But don’t you think it would be good to say “hey God, I have this day before me, help me make wise decisions?” Or when I have hard decisions to make, to draw him into the conversation as well? It’s too easy to think I have to do it all on my own. That’s not the case at all.
How about you? What thoughts does God place on your heart with this passage?
The Rest of This Series
- Acts 1:1-5
- Acts 1:6-11
- Acts 1:12-26
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