Acts 1:21-26 (NRSV)
Read Acts 1:21-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Verse 22beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." Verse 23So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Verse 24Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen Verse 25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." Verse 26And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Devotion
A roll of the dice and it’s Matthias, not Barsabbas. Calls to specific service in the household of faith most often come in a very mundane manner. No visions in the night, no sacred halo hovering overhead, just a rather ordinary bit of business, yet with profound and holy significance.
And do you suppose that Matthias, like so many of us, may have looked back in times of stress or failure and wondered if maybe somebody misinterpreted the signs and the call?
Matthias is a special kin to many of us. “And Matthias,” almost an afterthought, and in such manner he was selected for the Apostolic team. And years and cultures later it’s “and Fred,” “and Mary,” “and Jose” and on and on, following in the apostolic train of witness and service to the Gospel. No ordination rite is mentioned, perhaps so we can all find our story here. Like the child who is not particularly adept at athletics and is perpetually the last one chosen to be “on the team,” we give thanks today for Matthias and the wonderful, gracious net that catches even the least of us and sends us to invite the world to God’s banquet. Thanks be to God for the “and” that includes me, too.
Prayer
Most holy Lord, you have called us all in baptism to join in glad service of the Gospel, signs of your gracious love. Fill us with your passion and patience to serve the least, the lost and the left out. Amen.