Daily Devotional Wednesday 12th February 2020

by William Moody

Acts 1:12–26

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

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.1

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 headlong2 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.

Footnotes

[1] 1:14 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 15
[2] 1:18 Or swelling up

(ESV)

Having been given the task to wait for the Spirit and then be witnesses for Christ, the disciples resort to prayer (v12-14). They were all there and they were all dependent on God. The early church would be built on this activity of meeting together to pray. How serious are you about prayer? How God dependent are you? Take time to pray about this.

The disciples had to face up to the sad reality of Judas’ betrayal and the gap he left behind (v15-19). Peter uses God’s Word to guide them (v20) quoting from Psalm 69 v25 and Psalm 109 v8. In days of challenge we too must look to God’s Word to guide us and not to our own wisdom and feelings.

In looking for a replacement it had to be someone who was a witness to Jesus’ ministry and particularly His resurrection (v21-22). Matthias was chosen (v23-26) and added to the eleven.

Great events were about to happen but first the disciples had to both pray and then insure the leadership of the church was right. Prayer and good leadership are key to God’s blessing falling. Pray for these two things to abound in your church.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.