Acts 1:15-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, d the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ l and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ m
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. [1]
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What is striking in this passage is the job description for the position that opened with the death of Judas. Peter states that one of the candidates must be chosen to “become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
The central task for the apostles was to live as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection, of course, is the center of the faith. Without resurrection, there is no faith, no hope, and no message to proclaim. But with the resurrection, there is a message and life to share.
This is still our task today. The center of our evangelism is still the good news of resurrection. Our message is not just good advice about how to live, rules to follow and ways to have a more peaceful existence. Our message is not just information about spiritual matters and about God in general. Our message is not even just about Jesus as a divine human, a teacher, an example, a miracle-worker, or a leader.
Our message is that Jesus has come, that He has died to redeem this fallen world, but most importantly that He has risen as the beginning of a new creation. This new creation is His gift to all, received through faith in Him.
Lord Jesus, lead me and strength me to faithful bear witness to Your resurrection by my words and my deeds.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Ac 1:15–26). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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