Two men. Both qualified. Who would be chosen?
Both Joseph and Mattias had been with, and witnessed Jesus' baptism by John the Baptizer, staying with Jesus and the chosen disciples throughout Jesus' earthly ministry. Secondly, they had to have been witness to Jesus' resurrection and ascension back to Heaven. These two men, therefore were proposed to potentially take Jusdas Iscariot's place among the eleven apostles, to tally their number back to twelve.
The company of believers in the upper room that day of choosing, numbered about 120 persons. They all did not simply say, "Okay, let's take a vote; who wants which man?" NO. These were still mostly all Jewish believers in attendance, used to "casting lots." However, they did not simply run ahead and do that either.
Look at what they did do. See Acts 1:24,
"They prayed...".
The group used their own earthly wisdom based on the two criteria, and knew the method they would use to choose but they knew, there was still the vital part of decision making -- praying for the Lord's direction; getting His input.
They said,
"Lord, You know everyone's heart" (Acts 1:24 NIV).
We only see the outward but God knows our hearts.
"Show us which one..." they continued.Only after their prayer did they dare to cast those lots. Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:26).
Some may look down on Joseph Barsabbas Justus but he must have bowed out with dignity and acceptance of God's will. This is nothing to sniff at nor condemn in him.
Yes, the human heart is deceptive all the time even in this man. Nevertheless, his even being considered for the postition is telling enough that he was a respected, honorable man and spiritual brother.
I'd like to believe that yes, the Lord knowing his heart, had a better plan and purpose for him according to his particular gifting. He would be more effective in another role and discipline. We do not know as we are not told. The main point is that he and the others accepted the Lord's leading with grace. There were no quibbles or quarrels about it.
Recently, I watched a documentary of the Amish ways,* produced by a former Amish man and his family. It showed how they "cast lots" to determine who should be in leadership. It was vey similar to the Acts account idea of filling the place of service.
Now, I may have some of the precise details mixed up but it went someething like this. Three men were proposed. They each gave their Bible to the current leadership. That person would not know whose Bible was whose. They'd slip a piece of paper (I think that's what I saw) into one of the bibles. Then bring them back out and set them on the table in front of the whole congregation.
The three men were seated in front before the table. One of the leaders prayed. One by one the Bibles were then picked up, by the leading leader and searched for that piece of paper. If it was not found in that Bible, he moved on to the next and so on.
The one in whose Bible the paper was found, graciously, even if stunned, accepted the ministry bestowed upon him. The other two, just as graciously, bowed out. The whole congregation accepted it too. It was their way.
That there, right there is also amazing. In the Amish case and also in this account in Acts among the early believers, the whole process was orderly. The whole congregation was in attendance. There was prayer. The Lord indicated, according to their process. The leadership directed. The chosen candidate accepted. The unchosen gracioulsy bowed out. The whole congregation, in submission to what they believed was God's will, accepted. There were no angry arguments. Isn't that precious!?
Later on in Paul's epistles to both Timothy and Titus, we are given the criteria for those who "set their hearts" on the "noble tasks" of being an overseer or deacon. Quite a long list among which is "faith in Christ" (1 Timothy 3:13 NIV).
I don't read anything about the prayer or process, choosing the particular brother for the particular post but it is quite likely Paul was assuming Timothy and Titus would know and would follow the similar Acts pattern. I don't know, as we're are not told but it doesn't mean they did not follow that way.
Nowadays, it would be well to follow all these principles, criteria and process with all the congregation in attendance. You may say, it's so ideal. Yes, of course, when we follow God's word, things will be done decently and in order and there will be greater peace among God's people whose hearts He knows.
May our hearts be submissive to the Lord's leading when all is said, prayed and done, as did Joseph Barsabbas Justus and Matthias, and the 120 believers in that uppoer room.
~ERC August 2021~
Based on Acts 1:1-26 NIV
*Breaking the Silence is a series of video's documentary re the Amish ways. Very informative and sensitively portrayed. It may seem like it's in another language, but i assure you, it's mostly in English.
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