Matthias, the Thirteenth Apostle

 

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 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.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “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.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:21–26 ESV).

 

There were always times when I was vocationally in the ministry when we needed to search for another staff member. Rarely was that an easy task. Since we were congregationally controlled there was no “appointment” from district, state, or national leadership. A committee would be formed from within the church. The first step was to make contacts with friends and leadership who we trusted and ask for recommendations. We would begin by receiving resumes. They would be sorted according to experience and talent. Then the process of interviewing would begin. It was much the same as any other search for staff in a business or corporation. Often we would settle on two or three candidates. That was when the real work began. Meeting together we would pray over each candidate’s name and enter into discussion about what we felt the Lord would have us do.

 

This was the story of our reading today and the introduction of Matthias to the narrative. He was chosen over Joseph called Barsabbas to complete the apostolic group after Judas's betrayal. Tradition holds that he followed Jesus from the beginning, exemplifying quiet faithfulness. While not mentioned again in the Bible, early church traditions suggest he preached in Judea and later in areas like Cappadocia or Ethiopia. He is widely believed to have died as a martyr, with stories suggesting he was stoned and beheaded. He is most remembered for his quiet perseverance.

 

I wonder how Matthias felt during this process. He had been following Jesus from the beginning. He had heard everything that Jesus had taught. He had seen all the miracles Jesus had done. He may have been one of the 72 followers Jesus had sent out during his ministry. Matthias must have had many stories to share about what he had seen and done while following Jesus. Certainly, he was a qualified and loyal follower of Jesus. But he wasn’t one of the original twelve apostles until his name came up and was drawn by lot. Prior to that moment he quietly waited for his time to serve by serving where he was.

 

Sometimes the message we get from Jesus is “Wait.” We may be ready to go where he sends us or to do what he wants us to do. But he tells us to wait. Wait for the opportunity and for the time to be right. Wait for Jesus to call on us. I imagine Matthias was excited to become part of the leading group of Christ-followers who would go out and change the world. I hope you are excited to be a part of that movement as well. Serve where you are and be willing to go where you are asked.