Scripture: 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 [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, we learn that Jesus’ ascension occurred at the Mount of Olives, the favorite retreat for Jesus and his disciples when visiting Jerusalem. Once alone, the Eleven returned to the upper room, where they had previously found sanctuary and restoration. The Eleven, joined by Jesus’ mother and brothers and the women who attended to Jesus and his disciples during their three-plus-year mission (Luke 8:1-4) and who loyally stood watch at his crucifixion (Luke 23:49), prayed fervently in one accord in anticipation of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit 1:8).
Today’s devotion continues the story in the upper room sometime before Pentecost. Amid their prayer vigil, Peter stands and speaks to the crowd of about 120, proclaiming that the Holy Spirit foretold through David Judas’ tragic end, referring collectively to verses from Psalms 69:25 and 109:8. Here only in Luke’s account of Peter’s message, we learn that Judas used the blood money (obtained through aiding the temple guards to arrest Jesus) to buy a field, only to fall headlong with his bowels erupting from his abdomen. The story circulated among Jerusalemites, and thus, this plot of land became known as the Field of Blood.
Peter then addresses the imminent concern before their community: find a replacement for Judas’ apostolic position among the Twelve. First, Peter cites qualifications: a man who accompanied the disciples from John’s baptism ministry to Jesus’ ascension and can thus bear witness to his resurrection. Collectively, they identify two who qualify: Justus and Matthias. But to decide, they earnestly pray to the Lord and then cast lots which fall on Matthias.
Takeaway: Matthew’s Gospel, which states Judas threw the silver into the temple and hung himself (Matthew 27:5), contradicts Luke’s record of Peter’s account. So how do we reconcile these two disciples’ recollections? The fourth-century bishop Augustine concluded both were true. The chief priests bought the field (tantamount to Judas buying it), and Judas, deeply remorseful, hung himself from a tree on this site, resulting in his bowels bursting under the duress of strangulation.
But why the need to fill Judas’ position? Could not the Eleven get the job done with the Holy Spirit empowering them? Yes, but this Spirit-guided moment lends to fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy regarding judgment at the end of the age, where his disciples will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Still, why cast lots after praying for God’s direction? Here’s where we see an ancient tradition carry over to the New Covenant age. Prayer is foundational. The lots merely aided discernment. Proverbs 16:33 speaks to this point: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (ESV).
Out takeaway? First, we need not question the reliability of Scripture when verses and passages seem to contradict. Instead, we should inquire from the writings of those godly men and women who have researched and reasoned through the historical evidence and the broader context of Scripture. While discrepancies in details may remain inconclusive, the Word of God’s eternal truths do not.
Secondly, we should not be concerned about the disciples casting lots. They acted in good faith after bathing their need in prayer to the Lord. Moreover, they initiated the process relying on Jesus’ prophetic word about the twelve judgment seats. Thus, the issue is not whether they or we utilize tangible means of discerning God’s will but that all of us first prayerfully petition the Lord to guide our steps and then act in faith through the entire process.
On a personal note, some of Ruth’s and my most significant decisions have followed this pattern. That said, being fully aware of the noetic effect of sin, we also ask the Lord to place barriers in our way if we have leaned on our understanding. Lastly, we trust that our good and gracious God will redirect us if we have misstepped while accomplishing his sovereign purposes.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who always prayed and acted in faith, knowing that you listen to and delight in him. And we thank you that he intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) and that the Holy Spirit even interprets our sighs and groans when at a loss for words (Romans 8:26-27). So would you motivate us to pray and act in faith, trusting in your goodness and grace even when we misstep? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply