Monday 13 April 2015

Psalm: Psalm 135:1-7

Background

A number of appearances of the risen Christ are recorded in theNew Testament over the course of 40 days (Acts1:3) during which Jesus continued to speak about the kingdom ofGod and to prepare the disciples. He ordered them not to leaveJerusalem but to wait there until the Holy Spirit came upon them,equipping them to become his witnesses "in Jerusalem, in all Judeaand Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts1:8). At the end of the 40 days another mysteriouspost-resurrection event occurred as Jesus ascended into heaven: "asthey were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out oftheir sight" (Acts 1:9).

So it is that we find the disciples (less Judas Iscariot), withcertain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers,assembled and waiting, as instructed, in Jerusalem. The treacherousact of Judas, subsequently followed by his death, had provided adark sub-plot to the dramatic events of those days and now thedisciples addressed the task of appointing his successor. It was aninteresting process.

The successful candidate needed to have accompanied thedisciples throughout the time Jesus had been with them, from theBaptism of John until the Ascension. Primarily they were to be awitness to the Resurrection of Jesus. The field was narrowed downto two and the gathered community sought God's guidance in prayer.Then, in this prayerful environment, they cast lots (eg drewstraws, rolled dice) and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was addedto the 11 apostles.

So the group had drawn up selection criteria, allowing them topropose two suitable candidates; they had immersed the process inprayer and then sought a sign from God. The early Church was takingits first few precarious steps - methodical and prayerful - but anew reality was about to encompass this fledgling community.

To Ponder

• The disciples were waiting in Jerusalem "for the promise of theFather" (Acts 1:4). What part does waiting play in yourrelationship with God?

• What aspects of leadership were displayed by Peter in this timeof uncertainty and waiting? What does good leadership looklike?

• What do you make of the selection process for Judas' successor?What do you like about it and what might you have donedifferently?