Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (NRSV)
Read Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, Verse 16"Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus- Verse 17for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 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
How hard it is to wait! Our culture values productivity and efficient time management. And we know that in groups (including the Church), it can be deadly to “just sit around.”
So imagine how hard it was for Jesus’ disciples after he ascended into heaven. Jesus had given them one final instruction: “wait until you are clothed with power from on high.” But how long would that be? So, as today’s reading tells us, Peter gave the group a task: fill the empty leadership spot that had belonged to Judas. One could argue that God’s choice for a person to “complete the circle” of leadership would eventually include the Apostle Paul.
This episode from the early church reminds us that there are times when we all need to wait. It may be hard to stop moving, but obeying the command to “wait” can give God enough time and space to accomplish great things among us.
Prayer
Holy Lord, you hold all our times in your powerful hands. Help us to see when it may be time for us to wait—and grant us the patient faith to do so. Amen.
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