Thursday
Thursday
Replacing Judas
It is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us…. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.
Acts 1:21–22
Only one other event is recorded between the ascension and Pentecost, namely the appointment of another apostle to replace Judas. Peter stood up among the believers and quoted from Psalms 69 and 109 as biblical warrant for this act, especially Psalm 109:8: “May another take his place of leadership.” It is instructive to note the three qualifications for what Peter called “this apostolic ministry” (Acts 1:25).
The first was a personal appointment by Jesus. Matthias was appointed not by the church but by Christ, as the Twelve had been (Luke 6:13). True, the 120 nominated two candidates, and they later cast lots, a method sanctioned by the Old Testament but not used after Pentecost. Essentially, however, they sought God’s will by prayer. For though Jesus had gone to heaven, he was still accessible by prayer and was also the “heart knower.” So they prayed, “Show us which of these two you have chosen” (Acts 1:24).
The second qualification was an eyewitness experience of Jesus. Mark and John had both made it plain why Jesus had chosen the Twelve. It was “that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14) and that in consequence they might testify to him (John 15:27). Similarly, Peter said: “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, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us” (Acts 1:21–22). The third qualification was a resurrection appearance of Jesus, which is why Paul qualified (1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8–9). Judas’s replacement must also have seen the risen Lord so that he might become a witness, with the other apostles, of his resurrection (Acts 1:22).
The stage is now set for the day of Pentecost. The apostles have received Christ’s commission and seen his ascension. The apostolic team is complete again, ready to be his chosen witnesses. Only one thing is missing: the Spirit has not yet come. Though the place left vacant by Judas has been filled by Matthias, the place left vacant by Jesus has not yet been filled by the Spirit.
For further reading: Acts 1:15–26