Choosing a Replacement

Scripture – Acts 1:21-26: ²¹Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” ²³So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Reflection: – This was an interesting process. They decided to fill the spot that Judas used to have – to bring the number of apostles back up to twelve. They developed criteria. They narrowed the field of candidates to two. They prayed for the Lord’s guidance. Then they essentially rolled the dice to determine which of the two to add.

I wonder how all this was for those two men. Matthias was given new responsibilities. For all this time he had watched the others. Now he was brought into that circle of specially chosen ones.

And how was it for Joseph to not be chosen? How did he react? How would I? I can imagine a mixture of disappointment and relief.

When has someone been chosen instead of you? How did you handle it? What do you think Joseph’s relationship with the church was like after this?