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

In response to a HighCallingBlogs Group Writing Project on the importance of taking time to get away in retreat, I laughed at my first thoughts on the project’s title, “Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!”

I didn’t envision a soft, cushy, comfort. I heard a battle command. Maybe it’s because I recently watched a movie with Charlton Heston from the 1960’s called Major Dundee. He consistently reminded his men he had only three commands. “Come. Charge. And run like…” Well, you can watch the movie, but retreat is part of the battle planning.

As a Christian equipped with armor, burdened with mission, and awaiting orders, I look to the Lord for when to retreat. If I listen carefully and obey quickly, I’ll know when to get out of the daily grind or battles and run for the “strong tower” of refuge.

My retreat brings healing, rest, and renewed vigor to accomplish the tasks of life. I can’t always get away to attend a nice retreat center like Laity Lodge, but I am able to take a walk alone, go to a coffee shop and sit, or drive with God and my thoughts (although driving retreats have recently proven dangerous).

For more serious retreats, I need a deeper withdrawal, somewhere safe to sleep, to “lick my wounds” (have God’s healing comfort applied), to recoup and regroup. My serious retreat locations can be at home, on vacations, and at retreat centers, but always they include those I love and trust, those who believe in God within me. I call upon proven prayer warriors, mentors, family, and friends.

During quiet, comforting retreats I get a clearer focus on my part in God’s mission, and retune my ears for the “Major’s” voice.

What’s that? Come! Charge! Or Retreat!

One to be change,

Robin

It Will Be! But the Choice is up to Me (Acts 1:16-19)
God’s promises will be fulfilled. His word is true. It will be as God says it will be. “The Scripture had to be fulfilled” (vs. 16). Those statements are true, but consider how our life fits into the promises of God. What part do we play? How do our choices in life position us in relation to God’s promises? Are we playing on God’s side of the fence or not? The promise is a reality!

Judas. Here’s a guy that didn’t look closely at the promises of God, or consider his choices wisely. But don’t be too rough on him without taking a hard look at ourselves. Jesus chose him to take a share in his ministry (vs. 17). Aren’t we as believers also chosen to share in Jesus’ ministry, to be his witnesses, to love people like he did? Have we considered our daily choices? Are we going through religious motions or rituals without all heart or sincerity in seeking God? Or do our choices reveal apathy concerning anything related to God? For me, pretenders are harder to stomach. Maybe it’s because I struggle with authenticity at times. Pretending is a great temptation. Daily choices are hard to make, but they position us in God’s promises.

The blood price. Judas’ unbelief caused his blood to be spilt at his own hands (vs. 18-19). By faith, believers are covered with Jesus’ blood that takes away sin—Jesus paid the price. Without belief, our blood is on our own hands. Wrong choices mess up our insides. If we’ve made bad choices—figuratively hung ourselves, we can bring our messed up lives to Jesus and ‘spill our guts’ out with him, begging forgiveness, and accepting his blood to cover us, rather than buying our own field of blood to die in. Jesus has already paid the blood price for us.

God’s promises are as good as done. Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy are available for our asking. Where do we stand in God’s reality, his promise? In what portion of his ministry do we give all heart? What do our daily choices reveal? God, help us to be authentic—not pretenders, to make wise choices.

Join me in living authentic lives, making good faith-filled choices, and please help me keep to this task! I could use the assistance.

I pray, God, that you help us make a difference by being real and making choices out of belief in you.
Robin

 If ever a believer sat in a quandary filled with emotion, indecision, and lots of ideas, it’s me. It would take me way to many types to tell all. All options seem good, but then again bad at the same time. I don’t know what to do, who to ask, or … yuk, I hate this ministry stuff. I think I should sit and be nothing. Oh goodness, I know that’s not right either. Where’s the chocolate? These pounds aren’t good, that is for sure. At least I’ve got one thing figured out!  

If you have a minute, pray for my clarity of direction.   Thanks!