The Replacement of Judas Iscariot - Matthias

 

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “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. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (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. 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.) “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.’” 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 1:15–26 ESV).

 

When Jesus began his public ministry, he chose twelve disciples to follow him for three years (cf. Luke 6:12-16). However, when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and thereafter killed himself (cf. Matthew 27:1-10), the disciples needed to find a twelfth man to replace Judas. They’d narrowed down the candidates to two people: Joseph (also known as Justus) and a man named Matthias. Both of these men had followed Jesus during his public ministry – since John the Baptist baptized Jesus and witnessed his resurrection. They just didn’t have the title of the original twelve. After praying and doing a practice known as casting lots, the lots landed on Matthias. He was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. We can learn a very important principle from this disciple.

 

Our timetable doesn’t always match God’s timetable. Perhaps Matthias was disappointed when Jesus hadn’t chosen him as one of the original twelve, though there is no indication of that in the Scripture. He seems to have been both willing and happy to be paired off in the 72 followers who ministered to the Jews and stayed long after Jesus’ resurrection, even after several followers deserted Jesus throughout his time on earth.

 

He certainly fit all the qualifications. So, it is natural for us to ask why did it seem like Jesus had overlooked him? First, we simply must understand it was not his time. We may feel the same way. Maybe we were perfect for a role on our church’s worship team or someone else got a position we felt we deserved. After all, Judas Iscariot didn’t seem like a great candidate. At least, not a candidate as good as Matthias. Second, our path is not chosen based on what we believe; rather it is based on the will and purpose of God.

 

We must, like Matthias, defer to God’s timing. God may have a surprise in store for us in the future, but we must trust his decisions. That timing is always correct!