Monday 23 June 2025
Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart." (v. 24)
Background
The book of Acts begins with the ascension of Jesus to heaven and the disciples – both named men and unnamed women – along with Jesus’ immediate family all meeting together. It turns out their first piece of business was replacing Judas (the disciple who had betrayed Jesus and died by suicide). I'm not sure many of us would have seen a focus on internal reorganisation as the essential task after the ascension, but since I rarely know exactly what to do, I’m happy to see this as quite normal.
The key task for the replacement disciple is to be a witness to Jesus' life, so the criteria was to have been with Jesus throughout his ministry and to the ascension. We have numerous clues that those associated with Jesus were more than the named disciples, and of the importance of women in this community. Perhaps the first challenge here is to recognise today we are called to be witnesses, and earlier in verse 8 we have been appointed as witnesses locally, nationally and across the world.
Peter uses the somewhat quirky method of drawing lots to find who is to be the replacement for Judas and so Matthias is chosen, rather than Joseph Barsabbas. Few would recommend this as a foolproof way of making decisions, although it was a common enough Jewish practice in those days. I like the recognition by Peter that he doesn’t know what to do, that God does know and so he simply wants to know God’s view, and then that will be what is done. In my district leadership role in the Methodist Church I often chair circuit executives and church councils. I’m usually there to help us address situations that have emerged. My prayer at the start is invariably a version of "Lord, show us what you want us to do, and then we will get on and do that."
God knows us and everything about us. God knows our problems and is the solution. We need to find it, and then just do it. Drawing lots is quirky, but it does show Peter’s total confidence that God was present and God would guide. All he and the others then needed to do was follow God’s guidance. Through Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit we continue to be guided today. May we discover God’s guidance, and then just do it.
To Ponder:
- Who is the largely unknown person who has most influenced your life, and why?
- Why is being named and recognised by others often so important to us?
- Do you have examples of being clearly guided by God?
Prayer
Gracious God, you know us completely with all our hopes and fears, joys and sorrows. You know how we try to serve you and so often fail you. And you love us absolutely. Each and every day we pray that you continue to guide us. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Skuce
Stephen is the Superintendent of the North Western District of The Methodist Church in Ireland.