RCL reading for Sunday, May 24, 2009:
Excerpt from the New Revised Standard Version
via Oremus (http://bible.oremus.org)
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said,
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—
17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning 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.’
23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
24 Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen
25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’
26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
STUDY GUIDE
What does the passage tell us about God?
What does the passage tell us about human beings and the relationships between people?
What does the passage say about the relationship between God and human beings?
How does the passage call us to change?
Adapted from “Theological Bible Study,” from In Dialogue with Scripture: An Episcopal Guide to Studying the Bible, ed. Linda L. Grenz (Episcopal Church Center, 1993), p. 96.
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The election of Judas's successor takes place in the spiritual drought between the ascension and pentacost. Peter seems to have plunged right ahead to remedy the gap in the twelve judgement seats left by Judas's defection. Perhaps this is a pattern of how we should behave in dry times as Micah says, ". . . it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you without divination. The sun shall go down upon the prophets, and the day shall be black over them."
ReplyDeleteKen Brown says ...
ReplyDeleteReplacing Judas was a difficult necessity. The apostles had such a key role in the early days of the Way. Each of these ordinary men was charged with essential tasks. First, as Peter mentions, to bear witness to the life of the Lord Jesus. Apostles had the unique privilege of having kept close company with Jesus during the days of His earthly ministry. Three pivotal points are reflected: (1) His baptism where he dedicated himself to His Father’s plan even our salvation and was certified to John as Messiah, the Lamb of God indeed, (2) His resurrection where His life and teachings were authenticated triumphantly for all time, (3) His ascension to His place of authority, intercession and expectation of final consummation. The apostles were also to be the custodians of new Testament truth and to lay the foundation of the church and provide for its guidance in its proper path. Such a burden required the right man. Without the Spirit’s direct indication they prayed, selected two, prayed, voted (in Old Testament style) and accepted Matthias of whom we know nothing more. The “heart-knower” (kardiagnostes) answered their prayer.