“‘Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning 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.’
So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” -Acts 1:21-26
Preparing for Promise
The clock was ticking and the disciples didn’t know when their promise was coming and what the sending forth of these ambassadors for the gospel would look like. As they were praying together, searching Scripture for what was next (Psalm 109:8), they decided someone needed to replace Judas so that 12 leaders could carry what was about to thrust forward.
Matthias is not mentioned anywhere after this passage in Acts. One other apostle was martyred soon after, and they didn’t replace his leadership. However, an infrastructure of leadership was in place for the birth of the Church in order to take the gospel to the ends of the Earth.
The Qualifications of Leadership
What were the three qualifications they were searching for as outlined in this passage?
- Having been with Jesus from the time of His baptism to His ascension
- Having been with the other 11 through those three years of ministry
- Having been chosen by the Lord on the basis of his heart
(This is the last time we will see a casting of lots in Scripture because after the Holy Spirit comes, He becomes our great counselor and guide!)
The Heart of Leadership
Matthias was chosen to be a witness (which also means “martyr” in Greek) with them, added to the 11 apostles, and helped lead this Church from the upper room to the nations. What is so interesting is it’s based on his testimony, his heart, and his personal encounter with Jesus. It wasn’t based on a personality test, gift assessment, resume, interviews, or lengthy checklist of qualifications. Matthias would undergird this movement simply because he had been with Jesus and his heart was pure before the Lord. Is it really that simple?
God’s Choice of Leaders
A couple of years ago, my husband finished reading the Bible in a year and summarized his findings for me. He said, “Jules, there is not one person in the Bible who would be asked today to pastor our churches, lead our boards, preach a sermon, or even lead a nonprofit ministry. Not one. Every single one of them was flawed. It’s the human experience. But God used every last one in spite of their weaknesses and failings.”
Among those 11 apostles (ambassadors) were a zealot, a tax collector, a doubter, a few uneducated men, and a few fishermen—just ordinary people with zero qualifications except their encounter with Jesus and a transformed heart because of Jesus. This is all that positioned them for readiness to receive a global mandate and carry a dispersed and persecuted Church through a treacherous period all while boldly proclaiming the gospel. They had the blood of Jesus, their testimony, and deep conviction. All but one would give their lives for Him and for their calling as ambassadors.
What about you? What are your qualifications?
They are the same!
The Call to Action
God lovers, we are in a time of shaking and sifting for the Church. Because of the line in the sand drawn by the hand of God, a separation is taking place of those who will give everything for Jesus no matter the cost and those sitting in their church pews for years on end, chasing the American dream and checking off their own bucket lists before they die. They have a ticket to Heaven, but don’t ask them to give anything up that is outside of their comfort zone. The funny thing is how we separate into two groups when we all read the same Word of God. Is it because we have been taught things our ears want to hear, in the name of grace? Maybe there’s a fear of offending if we ask for radical obedience. Maybe we really don’t believe the sacrifice of Jesus is worth our everything. Maybe fear of man is more powerful than we realize.
The Church’s Mission
I am pondering a text from a friend, Jordan Gaudet. She writes: “I don’t know why some are so radical and others just want to be saved and live in comfort. I think Satan loves the American dream.”
The 120 could only sit in the upper room for so long before they were thrust out. Had they not been, the gospel would have never advanced. It is no different for us today! We don’t get to just sit in our upper rooms or church pews forever and not boldly proclaim the gospel to the world. I don’t read anywhere in Scripture that the Great Commission was an option for a select few. Church, we must wrestle deeply with this truth so our lives take on fully and entirely the life of Christ.
“From the outset of the book of Acts we are provided with a glimpse of the life of the early church in its pristine purity—obedient, unified, praying, searching the Scriptures, and submissive to apostolic authority. That should be in front of us all the time as we seek to build the church today.” -R. C. Sproul, “Acts: An Expositional Commentary”
The disciples weren’t disqualified by their imperfections, immaturity, failures, and areas of growth. Nor are you! Not for a minute! Because His blood, His mercy, His justice, and His cross and resurrection speak a different word!
Reflection
So I ask you today:
Are you simply available to lead the Church forward in these last days?
Do you have a testimony of the life of Christ you can anchor in and speak from?
Are you willing to pursue Jesus daily, to encounter His love and goodness, so you have fresh bread to give to others? It’s this simple.
Jesus is the pursuit!
Jesus is the testimony!
Jesus calls you His ambassador!
This documentation of Matthias is historical, yes, but the application is for you and me today as we as Christ followers steward each day that God gives us. The Church is moving into a season of growth where she will mature (and many will fall away). I believe we are in a revival period where spiritual mothers and fathers are needed to raise up those young in the faith. This is the infrastructure of leadership we see in this passage that still holds true for us today. It’s beautiful, it’s simple, and it has the grace of God written all over it.
So I challenge you with these beautiful words from one of my favorite books:
“God, in His wisdom, chooses to use weak and unassuming misfits to accomplish His mission to redeem mankind. To the human mind, this choice seems illogical and counterintuitive, and even a bit nonsensical at times. But He has no plan B; we are His instruments of choice.” -David Joannes, “Mind of a Missionary”
And together, we close this day with these words on our tongues:
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. …
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” -Revelation 22:17, 20-21
A Few Key Notes
- Join us for Training the Bride to War! This study will equip the Bride of Christ for this hour and train her hands to war. Sign up for this six-week study beginning April 2. Register here.
- We are hosting an Arise Missions Conference for women pastors, mission leaders, and women who want to begin a mission movement in their churches to mobilize and equip women to find their calling and role in the Great Commission. Join us on April 9 as we seek to build your faith and answer the why and how of missions. Register now to get the early bird ticket price!
