Tuesday 14 May 2024

Psalm 15

Background
Many parts of the Christian Church will be giving thanks for the life of the apostle Matthias today, and so we interrupt our series of readings from Amos this week to reflect on verses from the opening chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.

At this time, Jesus has just ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:6-11) and Peter and the 'believers' are immediately faced with a challenge. Jesus had specifically chosen 12 people from among his ‘disciples’ (from the Greek, meaning learner or pupil) to be apostles (meaning someone who is sent, usually from God, with a message) (Luke 6:12-16). Most commentators see this as a symbolic number, representing the 12 ancient tribes of Israel and their renewal under Jesus (Matthew 19:28; see also Revelation 21:12-14). Judas Iscariot had been chosen as one of apostles but had betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:3-6, 47-53). We are told in Matthew’s Gospel that he later bitterly regretted this action and it was the Temple authorities who bought the field referred to in our reading today (Acts 1:19) after he had committed suicide (Matthew 27:3-10).

All this meant that ‘the Twelve’ (Luke 24:9) were now only 11. The others agreed, therefore, that someone else should replace Judas to bring the number of apostles back to the symbolically important number. Luke, the author of both the gospel that bears his name and Acts, records a very clear requirement for being an apostle: he (and of course only men were eligible!) had to have accompanied Jesus since the days of John the Baptist and witnessed his Resurrection (Acts 1:22). This understanding of the term was challenged by others, though. Most notably, Paul claimed apostolic status (eg Romans 1:1) but he would not have met these requirements.

Their choice ultimately rests on Matthias, who is chosen by lot. It is possible that the verb here may mean ‘by election’, although discerning God’s will by casting lots is certainly known in the Old Testament (eg Jonah 1:7). Matthias is otherwise unknown in the New Testament, although it is possible he went on to bring the gospel to parts of modern-day Turkey (Cappadocia).

To Ponder:

• Did Jesus make a mistake in including Judas Iscariot as one of the 12?
• How do we feel about Matthias being appointed ‘by lot’ (Acts 1:26)? Is the proverb correct: “Casting the lot puts an end to disputes”? (Proverbs 18:18)
• Is there anything that we as Christians could learn from this earliest act of collective decision making?

Bible notes author: The Revd Geoffrey Farrar
Geoffrey Farrar is the Superintendent Minister of the Richmond & Hounslow Circuit in south-west London. He has pastoral charge of Barnes, Putney and Roehampton churches. He is currently studying for a (very) part-time PhD at the nearby University of Roehampton, looking at the impact of the Maccabean Revolt on responses to Jesus. He lives in Putney with his partner and their adopted son.