Choosing an apostle of Jesus Christ seems pretty important…it’s hardly something that should simply be decided at a poker table.
Prozac online
We began reading through Acts as a family and with a few different friends this past week. In Acts chapter one, a very strange thing occurs. In a season of committing themselves to prayer as they await the promised Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, Peter pulls out some obscure texts from the Psalms and declares that they make it obvious Judas was set apart for this betrayal and eventual death in a field and that the Scriptures make it clear that they must choose someone to replace him.
Only, their method of “choosing” seems oxymoronic.
After setting out qualifications for this position (the candidate must be a man from among them who witnessed Jesus’ ministry from the baptism of John to the ascension) and putting forward two men, Justus and Matthias, as candidates who met those qualifications, they then decide to ask God to choose. This seems odd to me.
Why?
Well, my hometown church hired an assistant pastor recently. It was an application and search process similar to most I think. He submitted an application along with other candidates. I’m sure he was interviewed with questions about his personal life, views on ministry, and theology. He came to preach a sermon and meet the congregation. Then the church voted. Up until that candidate process, I don’t think there were more than a handful of people that actually knew the candidate (who seems like a great guy by the way).
Generic prednisone
Yet, the disciples knew Justus and Matthias far better than the people in my hometown church knew this candidate. They had walked with the two men for at least three years, if not longer. They would have known their personalities, their beliefs, strengths, weaknesses…..the whole nine yards. I assume they would have opinions about which was best suited to take Judas’ place. Yet, they didn’t vote on it. Rather than rely on their own thoughts and opinions (as well-informed as they were) to make a decision, they turned to God because “You, LORD, know the hearts of all” (Acts 1:24). Wow!
The last anomaly in this passage occurs in the way God’s choice is sought and expressed. They find out God’s decision by…flipping a coin? Actually, they cast lots, but you could say it’s an old way of rolling dice or flipping a coin. In our society, we call that chance or luck, not expressions of God’s will. But the disciples saw things through God’s Word and probably remembered:
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:33)
Now, I’m not implying that voting is somehow wrong nor am I advocating that my family or church make decisions by pulling out the Yahtzee cup. But, maybe I need some of the disciples’ reverence for God’s omniscience and humility in my own limited understanding. purchase Zoloft
Have you ever used a coin, dice, or lots to make a decision (big or small)?
This Post Has 0 Comments