Matias is Chosen

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things, he will never stumble. Second Peter one ten Tevenly, Father, we thank you for the beautiful calling you have placed upon our lives through Christ. We are humbled that you have chosen us not because of our worthiness, but because of your grace and love. Lord, We acknowledge our need for your guidance as we seek to confirm our calling and election. Grant us the wisdom and diligence to walk in a manner worthy of this calling, that we may not stumble, but stand firm in faith. Strengthen our hearts to pursue righteousness, and let our lives be a reflection of your goodness. Empower us to be a light in this world, faithfully serving and glorifying your name in all that we do. In Jesus precious name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You are listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another dramatized story inspired by the Book of Acts and the birth of the Church. If this podcast has blessed you, make sure to follow so you never have to miss an episode. The scorching sun beat down on Judas's neck, but the heat was of little significance compared to the guilt that lay heavy on his shoulders. Pulling his head towards the earth, the mixture of sweat and tears poured from his face. He tried to hold back the floodgates, firmly pressing his hands to his eyes, with no noticeable effect. He struggled to catch his breath, which only reflected his fruitless attempts to collect his own sanity. He stood in the middle of the newly acquired potter's field, meant as a burial place for foreigners. It had been bought from the potter with the thirty pieces of silver paid to Judas for his betrayal of Jesus. But purchasing the field had cost Judas much more than a mere bag of coins. He had forsaken and betrayed the man he once called rabbi, the man who had called him a friend and washed his feet with the humility of a servant, the man that was going to free the world. But despite Jesus' power to break judas chains, the fallen disciple willingly bound himself in the shackles of his present shame. He let out a cry birth from his paniced state. The yell echoed in judas ears before disappearing into the empty expanse of the sky. Judas looked up and called out in anguish. 00:02:59 Speaker 2: I have failed you. There's nothing that could ever cover my sin. I don't deserve it in a second in his life, I becast as long as I live and breathe. 00:03:19 Speaker 1: Judas slumped to his knees dragged his fingers through the coarse dirt. If he had only opened his heart, he could have found the forgiveness Jesus had always offered. But as was his nature, Judas was taking measures into his own hands. Though judas betrayal paved the way for Jesus to take on the sins of the world, Judas would deal with his own sin and the way he felt the most appropriate. He looked at the lone tree beside him. Tied from the sturdiest branch was a rope undulating in the breeze like a daunting serpent. Judas closed his eyes and prepared for his last moments on earth. 00:04:07 Speaker 3: Are you in pain after walking, running, or even just standing. It's not your feet, it's your shoes. This summer, switch to Gediphi shoes with patentive Verso shock technology, which aligns your body, provides superior shock absorption and trampoline like energy return. Gdphi offers souls and styles for any activity, plus two free orthotics. Whether you're an athlete, a busy parent, or always on the go, Gediphi shoes deliver the comfort and versatility your fee crave. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to unparalleled support this summer. Enjoy a special summer offer. Visit gdiphi dot com and get twenty dollars off your order of one hundred dollars or more with code Prey. Experience the miracle of ultimate comfort with Gediphi shoes. Visit g d ef y dot com today. 00:05:07 Speaker 4: Imagine the scene. Jerusalem is buzzing with the aftermath of Jesus's resurrection and ascension. The Disciples, now a bit disoriented but filled with purpose, nonetheless, find themselves gathered in the Upper Room on a mission to replace judas Is Scariot, the betrayer. The tension is palpable, the stakes are high, and the method they choose for this divine selection might surprise you. Today we're going to dive into a story inspired by Acts one twelve through twenty six, and see how the first century Church navigated a crucial decision with grace, unity, and perhaps a touch of divine dice rolling. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach Frompray dot com Stoke to continue our new miniseries on the Birth of the Church. You already know what to do. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast and follow on whatever platform you're listening to leave a review and share with a friend. The podcast space isn't easy. It's crowded and there's a lot of content out there. We're really glad that you've decided to sit with us here today. 00:06:10 Speaker 1: The tree ceased their stirring as the clouds shut around the ascended Messiah. The disciples gathered at the foot of the Mount of Olives, eyes locked on the two men dressed in white. Before any of them could compose themselves enough to utter a word, the two men disappeared from in front of them with the same swiftness in which they had arrived. 00:06:35 Speaker 2: So we all sold that men right. 00:06:39 Speaker 1: We must have that, or we all ate the wrong kind of berries for lunch. 00:06:50 Speaker 2: James John, this is no time for jokes. 00:06:54 Speaker 1: Peter's mind was racing, feeling a self imposed pressure to calculate their next moves. He knew they were trying to break the tension and humor was their attempt to cope. He wondered if his reprimand was simply a fall back to his vainglorious ways of living, or if these were the moments where Jesus wanted Peter to be a rock for the rest of the disciples. He defaulted to reiterate jesus command, knowing that using their master's words as guidance was the best way to lead in his absence. 00:07:28 Speaker 2: Jesus told us, we need to wait in Jerusalem for this spirit. We're not going to want to miss it whenever it happens. If we start working now, we can be there before nightfall. 00:07:42 Speaker 5: Peter's right, we might not know everything that's going on, but we at least know where we need to be, Thomas. Once we're in the city, can you find the women and Jesus's family. Tell them to gather together in the room we've been staying in. We'll figure out the plan from there. 00:07:59 Speaker 2: Of course, Andrew, But how do you propose we figure out a plan? Jesus just said to wait. Doesn't seem like much to go off of. 00:08:08 Speaker 5: We'll find our answers the same way Jesus always did when he was with us. We're going to pray. 00:08:14 Speaker 1: The disciples nodded in agreement. Andrew and Peter were right. Nobody knew quite how this new system worked without Jesus. Jesus had preached a kingdom of equals, eradicating pride and hierarchies by saying the last would be first and the first would be last. But they weren't sure how this fit into leading the charge of carrying out jesus mission. All they could do was abide by the words Jesus had left them, then follow the model he set for them during his time on earth. They hastily packed their bags with what little belongings they had left and trod along the road toward the Holy City. As they marched, they wrestled with fear and doubts about what might happen next. Each trip to Jerusalem over the years had come with surprises and unexpected challenges. On two occasions, Jesus drove out the money changers and flipped the merchant tables in the temple courts. It was here that Jesus was nearly stoned, and most recently, it was the place where they watched jesus betrayal and crucifixion. Emotions ran high, his hope began digging roots into the deep and dark areas of their hearts. The journey ahead would be long, but faith only called them to take one step at a time. Peter walked at the front of the group. He glanced over his shoulder at the rest of his friends. He could see the same uncertainty in their faces that he felt in his own mind. He closed his eyes and remembered the teaching of Jesus on the mountain. Peter reiterated the words to himself under his breath, as though Jesus was speaking directly to him. 00:10:08 Speaker 2: Don't worry, Peter, don't worry. 00:10:13 Speaker 1: The city streets were bursting with life as people casually went about their daily lives, a stark contrast to how the disciples were feeling. 00:10:23 Speaker 2: Domas, we'll meet you back at the house in one hour. The rest of you take what money we have and get some food and whatever other supplies we might need. Andrew and you'll come with me for a second. 00:10:37 Speaker 1: The brother stepped aside as the rest of the disciples dispersed into the crowds. 00:10:42 Speaker 5: How are you feeling, Peter. I can see you're taking on a lot right now, and while I'm sure the group appreciates any semblance of stability, I'd like to think I can read you a little better. 00:10:53 Speaker 1: Peter smiled at his older brother. Despite their ever changing dynamics over the last three years, Andrew never seemed bothered by Peter's elevated roar. His care for his brother was a welcome source of comfort. 00:11:08 Speaker 2: I'm holding it together like the rest of us, but I wonder to speak openly with you, if I'm being honest, I don't know what it means to be the rock on which Jesus builds his church. I don't want to let him down. 00:11:25 Speaker 5: Ah, there's my baby brother. 00:11:28 Speaker 1: Andrew class Peter's shoulder affectionately. 00:11:30 Speaker 5: If this one thing I've learned about being a disciple of Jesus, it's that he expects us to stumble every once in a while. 00:11:38 Speaker 1: The look on Peter's face showed that these words were less than encouraging. 00:11:43 Speaker 5: But if there's anything we know about Jesus, it's that he always gets us where we need to go. Take a breath. Look around the world is still moving. Plus, remember what he said, the gates of hell shall I will not prevail against His kingdom. All we can do is pray and wait. You may be the rock, but he's the one building the kingdom. 00:12:09 Speaker 1: Peter hadn't realized he was holding his breath as his brother spoke. He let out the air in his lungs and with it all the anxiety that had built up. Andrew's words were just what Peter needed to hear. He was starting to accept that he didn't need to be perfect or the best, He just needed to be obedient. He pulled Andrew into a firm embrace. 00:12:37 Speaker 2: Thank you, brother. 00:12:38 Speaker 1: The two sons of Jonah turned and took in the view before them. Thousands of people filled the city with little clue as to what was being stirred up in Jesus' wake. Back at the house, the disciples unloaded their halls from the market. Thomas had arrived with several of the women who had been Jesus followers. With Jesus mother and brothers, they had purposed in their hearts to gather in this upper room and devote themselves to prayer. Though they didn't know exactly what to ask. They trusted God would give them the words to speak. Determined to seek the face of God, they found seats around the room and began to ask God for wisdom. Their prayer gatherings went on for several days. After a few hours of praying, on one particular day, the evening had set in and the group huddled around several small lamps burning on the table in the center of the room. Despite only being a few short days since Jesus ascended into heaven, some of the disciples began to feel restless. They thought, surely there was some further action beyond prayer they could take while they waited for the Lord's promise to be fulfilled. Peter felt this most of all. He had done his best to keep his impulsivity at bay, knowing some of the unfortunate predicaments it had gotten him into it. Before he bounced his knee up and down. He studied the marred wooden table as he mulled his thoughts over He had spent the last few days playing out different scenarios in his head. Was this the time to share his plan with the group? He hesitated, before concluding to keep his thoughts to himself, but even his best efforts to center his mind on prayer couldn't placate the sensation within him. Not no, he thought, But soon the next day, followers of Jesus gathered in a clearing in the corner of the marketplace. Over one hundred and twenty men and women had heard about jesus resurrection and eagerly sought to know more. Their genuine belief in the power of Christ compelled them to meet with one another. They eagerly away at the guidance of jesus disciples. Peter, James, John, and Andrew stood a few paces from the rest of the group. 00:15:08 Speaker 5: The people are getting about as restless as we are. I mean, it's great to see that people believe in Jesus as the Messiah, but what are we supposed to do for them? 00:15:17 Speaker 2: Reads me. I'm having an odd enough time figuring out how to deal with my own questions, let alone out to answer all this. Well, Rock, do you have any folk sort the matter? 00:15:29 Speaker 1: Peter had been unusually reserved for most of the morning. He couldn't escape his thoughts from the previous night. During their time in prayer, he had spent most of the night contemplating his plan. Weighing the pros and cons, he felt this was a defining moment, a chance to step into the higher calling Jesus had given to them to lead his followers. He met John's eyes. 00:15:55 Speaker 2: I've been thinking a lot since the amount of olives. I'm not sure what will happen from here now, but I do know that Jesus pack twelve of us for a reason, and we'll need all the help we can get. Maybe it's time we find a replacement for Judas. 00:16:13 Speaker 5: How can you be sure that Jesus even wants us to fill Judas's spot? 00:16:17 Speaker 2: As I prayed last night, I was reminded of one of David's psalms. I'm going to trust it was the Lord leading us. Andrew beamed with pride for his brother. Peter learned the tension between being a leader and submitting himself to the Lord. James and John affirmed Peter's idea and encouraged him to address the crowd. Peter turned and faced forward. The people's murmuring slowly died away as they turned their attention towards Peter. Brothers and sisters, because of your faith, you joined us this morning to hear more about Jesus who is Christ. We know any of you have wondered why the Lord's anointed one had to die on a cross, But it was all done so that scripture could be fulfilled. Centuries ago, the Holy Spirit spoke through David concerning our former co laborer Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our own and shared in the pains and the joys of our ministry. For David wrote 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, in abiding by the word of God, we must choose one to take his place. 00:17:46 Speaker 1: Someone shouted out from the center of the assembly. 00:17:49 Speaker 2: And how would this man be selected? 00:17:53 Speaker 1: A hint of interest could be heard in his voice to a follower who hadn't experienced the persecution that came with being one of jesus disciples during his earthly ministry. This open position was equated with honor, respect, and authority. 00:18:10 Speaker 2: This role cannot be feeled by just anyone. We must find a man who has been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus lived among us. One who has followed Jesus from the beginning, since John's baptism to when Jesus was taken up from us. For the Lord has called us to be witnesses of his resurrection. If there is anyone among you has been with us from the start, please come forward. 00:18:37 Speaker 1: Several small gaps formed in the crowd as the people began talking amongst themselves. A few short moments later, two men emerged from the people. The shorder of the two was named Joseph, with the people often called Barsabas or Justice. Though his broad shoulders gave him the stature of a younger man, his age was a exposed by his graying beard. Next to him stood Matthias, a man no older than the rest of the disciples. He had been no less devoted to Jesus than the rest, but now he felt intimidated. Standing before the gathering, he shifted his sandals on the graveled promenade and watched the dust form into small mounds. Barsabas was evidently the more confident of the two. Matthias knew Barsabas and had seen how the community highly esteemed him. His wisdom and life experience far surpassed his own surely there was no competition here. Matthias questioned whether or not he should even respond to the apostles call. Peter's voice engulfed matthias inner. 00:19:49 Speaker 2: Monolog Brothers and sisters, we must seek the Lord's wisdom. Let us lift up our eyes to the heavens. O Lord, you know everyone heart. 00:20:01 Speaker 1: Matthias winced at the thought of the Lord knowing his heart right now, he was ashamed of his current struggle with doubt. 00:20:08 Speaker 2: Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this Apostolic ministry? Which Judas left to go where he belongs. 00:20:17 Speaker 1: Peter removed a small satchel from his pocket. He emptied several stones into his open palm. After a few shakes and his closed fist, he tossed them to the stony walkway. As they tumbled, Matthias prayed inwardly. He yearned for some sense of peace, any sort of assurance that this was where he was supposed to be. The stones found their resting place. Peter knelt down to read the markings that now faced out. 00:20:48 Speaker 2: My dear friends, the Lord has moved. It is with great honor that I introduced to you the newest Apostle Matthias. 00:20:57 Speaker 1: Matthias's eyes went wide, his lungs paused mid breath. Had he heard the apostle correctly? Had the Lord really chosen him to be counted among the twelve? Impossible, he thought to himself. But as the adrenaline subsided, Mattia's hearing returned to him. As the sound of cheers and praises to God were being lifted up by the believers, Peter bent over to catch the new apostle's gaze. 00:21:29 Speaker 2: Welcome, my brother. 00:21:30 Speaker 1: The young man looked up, sheepishly. Peter could sense the uneasiness in Matthias. He remembered the same feeling when Jesus had called him to be one of the Twelve, that, in her action with Jesus on the beach, felt like a lifetime ago. Peter was hardly the same person now. All the terror he felt as a sinner standing before the Lord had been washed away by the oceans of Jesus. Love and acceptance. Being called into something greater than himself was exactly what allowed Peter to let his old self die and find new life with Christ. He knew Matthias could have the same experience. 00:22:15 Speaker 2: It's good to have you here with us. 00:22:19 Speaker 4: In the wake of Jesus's ascension, the Disciples were left with the daunting task replaced Judas, who had not only betrayed Jesus but had also met a grim end in the field ominously named Field of Blood. They weren't just picking a new member for a social club. They were selecting someone to join the inner circle of Apostles, a role crucial for the formation of the Early Church. The disciples method of choosing Matthias might seem unorthodox to us. Casting lots essentially was rolling dice, but it offers profound insights into their approach to decision making and their dependence on God. They didn't merely acknowledge Jesus's words, they acted upon them. Their return and subsequent gathering in the Upper Room underscore a critical principle. Obedience is not passive. It's an active, intentional choice to align ourselves with God's commands, even when the steps are a bit fuzzy and unclear. We see a remarkable shift in the disciples dynamic as well. These were the same individuals who had argued about who would be the greatest and struggled with their own insecurities. Yet post resurrection, they exhibit a unity that was previously elusive to them. This unity wasn't about uniformity, but about a shared purpose and a common mission. They were no longer divided by their past differences, but united by their common devotion to Jesus. This transformation highlights the power of the resurrected Christ to bring about profound change in our relationships and in our communities. If we all devote ourselves to yield to Christ's spirit and to yield to his character, We're going to find ourselves becoming close to those we would have never been close to before. We also see a really profound theme in this episode of prayer as a foundation. The disciples devoted themselves to prayer and supplication. This wasn't a prelude to a decision, It was the foundation of their decision making process. Their prayers were marked by desperation and earnestness, reflecting their reliance on God's guidance rather than their own wisdom. This reliance on prayer reminds us that while our plans may seem well thought out, they should always be bathed in prayer, seeking God's direction and will. Here's proposal to replace Judas with a new Apostle was also based on scripture. He quoted Psalms to justify the need for a replacement, showing that even in decision making, the early Church relied on God's word. This reliance on scripture as a guide was crucial. It demonstrates that decisions should not only be informed by our experiences or our common sense, but should be anchored in the truths of God's word. Now, some theologians deband on whether Matthiah should have been chosen at all. Some people think that it should have been Paul the apostle, and that the apostles were being a bit impatient in this whole process. Now, whether that's true or not, we do see the disciples trying to find some sort of criterion process for choosing a really important leader. The decision was ultimately made by casting lots, a method that might seem outdated or even random to us today. However, this act was a way of deferring the final decision to God. Proverbs sixteen thirty three tells us the lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord. Now, I gotta give us a little bit of commentary here. What this isn't saying is that when we're at a crossroads in our life, that we should just roll the dice. That's not necessarily it. What it more underscores is that a decision is sometimes better than no decision. You see, the disciples decided that they were going to cast lots, but the criteria by which they chose candidates was very sound and based on scripture and based on the characters of the those individuals in their relationships to Jesus. You see, many times we'll find ourselves at an impasse, We'll find ourselves in a place of uncertainty, and just stepping in a direction, knowing that God is going to have our backs is better than in action. In closing, let's remember that whether we're casting lots or making meticulous plans, the essence of our decision making should be rooted in obedience, unity, prayer, and scriptural guidance. Man, let's throw in a dose of common sense there as well. We're going to trust in God's sovereignty and the whole process, and as we navigate our choices, let's do so with confidence that God is guiding us, just as he guided the early Church and their pivotal moments. Thanks again, for joining us on the Jesus Podcast. You already know what to do. Make sure to follow us on all platforms, share it with a friend, and please leave a review. We're ramping things up for the eventual arrival of the promised Holy Spirit.