Who Me, Fill a Traitor’s Shoes? (Acts 1:20-26)
Just how would you feel if you were chosen to fill a traitor’s position? Imagine the suspicion, the unjust scrutiny, and the subsequent caution from which to live. Who in their right mind would want to volunteer for such a position, or even accept an appointment for the same? The fact that the ‘shoes’ were once worn by someone who had betrayed places a great cautious trust in the one called to fill them now.
As one who has been betrayed, I understand the struggle with trust, the desire to have the trust proven, the cleansing of my mind from the past pain to move forward. Can this one (new disciple) be trusted? Should I allow them in, to get close? Imagine how the eleven remaining disciples felt as they kept coming together to pray those days after Jesus was taken from them into heaven. Then Peter stood up . . .
Why would the one Jesus chose to feed his lambs stand up to encourage replacing the traitor? Remembering all the scriptures concerning the Messiah, Peter recognized that the Lord’s enemies would no longer live, and another would be chosen to fill his place (vs.20, Ps. 69:25, 109:8). Other than Peter’s belief in the scripture, Jesus had previously chosen 12, promised their reign on 12 thrones (Mt. 19:28), and 12 represents a number of completion and is repeated throughout scripture. Why go back to having 12? Could another reason be that as humans the disciples needed to learn to trust God in their relationships?
The replacement had to meet certain criteria for the job opening. Many followers (120 at one point, vs. 15) might have applied for the position. The qualifications weeded from the group two that stood out. Both Joseph and Matthias were equally qualified and suitable for the position. They had followed Jesus from his baptism by John until he was taken from them into heaven. Because of this they both witnessed his resurrection and could witness to others about his resurrection.
Easy, right? Now it’s down to two. Let’s form teams and have a democratic runoff, vote included, to decide who our leader ought to be. Somehow, our Americanized way of making decisions doesn’t feel right in this circumstance. All opinions of the strengths and weaknesses of one over the other didn’t matter. The eleven men along with all the other followers did the right thing. They prayed. They prayed. And they prayed! Not some shopping list prayer for Aunt Edna’s bad knee, or Uncle Harry’s failing business. No, this was a prayer seeking God, seeking his face, his will, and his purpose. No agendas of a personal nature, only God’s counted. Then they placed their trust in God, cast the lots and accepted God’s decision.
What is casting lots? Let’s say we pick up two rocks, write Joseph on one and Matthias on the other, place them in a coffee can, shake and toss them to the ground. The first rock to hit the ground would bear God’s decision on the named replacement for Judas. Sounds like gambling, playing craps or something unholy, but it is God’s decision and trusted after praying the way they had. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Pr. 16:33)
But what about how Matthias felt. Consider the pressure of filling a traitor’s shoes. I have felt the pressure of being part of the church that has let down our young adults. Many of which may consider the church a traitor to authentic Christianity. Others have filled such positions as in the case of remarriage where their partner had been betrayed. I can imagine the distrust, the skeptical withholding, the endurance and hoops to jump through to keep the trust. All at once feeling both blessed at being chosen and humbled by the enormous trust given.
I am Matthias. Once I was Judas, but now I’ve been chosen and feel the blessing of that position as well as the responsibility of the trust given me. I have been amongst the eleven learning to trust, but now I’m to minister to others fulfilling the calling to witness to others all that Jesus has done for me. God help me always seek you in prayer, understand the blessing of your choosing me, and exercise the trust you’ve given me. Lord, use me.
May God bless you as you seek him and to be used by him.
Blessings,
Robin
