They stared at the sky before seizing the mission we still share

By Dean Collins

How many times have you been interrupted by someone as you stared off in space wondering what you are supposed to do now or next? The blank stare might be a search for an answer to a current or anticipated challenge. Sometimes our far away stares are simply a search for a moment of peace or the hope of some clarity. For the closest followers of Jesus in Acts 1, it might have been bewilderment...now what? It could have been shocking as well to see the resurrected Jesus disappear into the sky.

We don’t know if they stared for 10 seconds or 10 minutes before two men in white robes appeared and asked them why they were gazing into heaven. The two men clarified the moment, telling the believers that one day Jesus would return in similar fashion. Just as they did not expect his sudden departure, none of us can predict his eventual sudden return.

Before the departure of Jesus to the heavens, he told his followers they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and throughout the world. So they went to Jerusalem to wait for the power that was to come upon them so they could fulfill their calling.

Waiting, praying, choosing

They were gathered with familiar friends, in a familiar town, in a familiar location. The upper room might have been the same one from weeks earlier where they had supper with Jesus. Maybe being in a familiar place would jog their memory of things Jesus said to them. According to Luke there were about 120 together in the room. Luke tells us they were devoted to prayer. It was a prayer vigil marked by prayers and then waiting and then more praying and then waiting again.

Peter might have been tired of this. He was a doer. Maybe he was anxious to show Jesus he was fully engaged after their breakfast chat days ago. “We need to get a replacement for Judas Jesus called 12 of us, and now we are down a man.” The group agreed that since all of them had been with Jesus from his baptism forward, that would be the criteria. From the large group, just two names were brought forward: Joseph called Barsabbas who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

The next steps seem a bit odd. These faithful Jesus people prayed again, asked God to reveal his selection, and then rolled the dice. Casting lots was not uncommon in ancient Israel. (But I doubt many of you have rolled the dice or drawn names from a hat to pick your church’s next children’s pastor.) Numerous references in Leviticus, Numbers, Proverbs, and Jonah mention the practice, which continued into the early first century. We read about the Roman soldiers casting lots at the foot of the cross to see who won the prize of Jesus’ garment.

There is debate among some scholars concerning whether the group picked the right person or if they jumped the gun. We all know of the apostle Paul’s prominent role in the early church. Was he the twelfth apostle in God’s plan? We will have to wait for a fireside chat with Jesus or Peter one day in Heaven to know for sure.

Considering those not chosen

What strikes me most about this passage is not the method of selection or even that Matthias was chosen. We never read in Scripture about anything he did individually. Some traditions and church historians say Matthias took the gospel to what we know as Turkey, and some say Matthias witnessed to Ethiopia. But we don’t know much about Matthias, and we also don’t know much about the guy who wasn’t picked. (I think he wasn’t picked because he had three names! Maybe God’s answer was, “I’ll take the guy with just one name. It will be quicker when I need to call him.”) I’m fascinated with the 100 or so believers who were prominent in the newly emerging Christian community and, like Justus, were not chosen to be an apostle.

The beauty of the growth of this early Christian community was not that they had 12 apostles. The church grew because everyone, filled with the Holy Spirit, participated in sharing Jesus far and wide. Most of them had no need for attention or even recognition for their service. At best we know the names of about a fourth or maybe a third of this 120, but we see that everyone was on board with being where Jesus told them to be and going where Jesus told them to go. And most importantly, about telling everyone about Jesus and, through him, how their lives could be changed forever.

Apparently, many of the 120 understood the teachings of Jesus concerning servanthood and anonymity, don’t let the right hand know what the left hand is doing, go into the closet and close the door and pray. These messages were both received and applied to that congregation waiting for the Spirit of God to come upon them.

Thanking and sharing

Today’s passage started with followers of Jesus staring at the sky after Jesus departed. Maybe we should all take a moment and stare at the beauty of the sky and thank him for the many unnamed Christians foundational to the start of the church that has existed through the centuries since the Book of Acts was written. This is the church you and I belong to today. Then ask God to use you to do whatever he wants with you as you seek to fulfill his Great Commission. There is someone waiting to hear about Jesus today who only you might be able to reach.

Your time with God’s Word
Acts‬ ‭1:10-16, 21-26 ESV

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