I read about an interesting way to introduce the idea of casting
lots for the final decision on the new apostle. Number your
bulletins in an inconspicuous place. Then, at the start of the
sermon time, draw a slip and call out the number of the "winner."
When the person with that number is identified, tell them that they
have the honor of being selected to preach next Sunday. Depending on
who it is, you might be able to tease them a little bit. The
anonymous author of that suggestion writes that this method might be
a good lead-in to discuss how someone might have felt to be
designated by lot as one of the Twelve. It might also be a
demonstration on how few qualifications it requires to be a
disciple. MTSOfan
(Grin) I like the story of the selection of next week's preacher.
I'm in my second year of student ministry, and yesterday I had a
shocking experience at church. There I was calm and composed,
sitting in the pew with no active duties for the service. Then I
open the weekly newsletter to read "Today our student minister Luke
will give the address."
Aarrgh! for about two seconds. Then I checked my diary, and then
covertly glanced at the roster that I could see from my seat and
started to relax. The editor had got it wrong, not me! From absolute
terror, to amusement, in under five seconds. I might just do your
idea MTSOfan, and then tell my story.
Reading through a couple of commentators, it strikes me that there
is no clear opinion on whether the selcetion was wise, good or not.
Some point out that it is the last time lots are used to make a
decision. G.Campbell Morgan says that they got it wrong, God had
Paul in mind as the 12th apostle. FF Bruce says yes Matthias had all
the right credentials for apostleship.
The selection of Matthias seems to be one of those ambivelent
decisions, that is not crucial either way to the kingdom of Heaven.
This was no earthshattering, critical moment that required the right
answer. Just faithful people making their best effort, and using
their (pre pentecost remember) best wisdom to make the right
decision.
Isn't that like most of our lives? We make hundreds and thousands of
little decisions. Mostly faithful, and mostly with good intentions.
And most are ambivelent, they won't change the world in any
significant way.
Tell me what you think. I'm not sure where this leads me to. But
it's only Monday so far.
Grace & Blessings to you all. LukeW in Oz
William Willimon says he went directly to his Bible to see what
verses were omitted, and discovered they were they death of Judas.
Interesting to place that with the Gospel, about protecting all but
the one who put himself outside protection. I suspect I won't do
anything with this, but I know people are interested in Judas and
the role he played--a parishioner asked me that since it was a job
that had to be done, couldn't Jesus have stage-managed it, so Judas
was really in the clear? Willamon talks of all of us as betrayers,
and says that the early church's willingness to talk about how one
goes on after a betrayal is healthy for our churches, who have to
deal with people's imperfections. early musings from one in PA
It is Tuesday after a long weekend and I find myself slow to enter
the pace of weekly study. When I was asked for a title for my sermon
about a week ago, I said, "Putting it in God's Hands." At the time I
was struck by the casting of lots as a way of making decisions. And
so I've begun thinking about how we make decisions. Do we begin by
praying? The disciples had already narrowed down the choice, then
prayed, then cast lots. What is a modern equivalent of this? It
seems to be a little like avoiding a run-off election by making the
final selection with a coin toss. I seem to remember hearing of
towns doing that. If you have any stories about coin tosses, please
share them with me.
I don't know if I want to get into how few of our decisions are
really put into God's hands, but truly our ultimate outcome is
firmly there. The gospel reading if I remember correctly deals with
our ultimate "fate". When we entrust our lives to Christ, at least
that one decision is in God's hands.
Well, these are early musings. I need some help folks!
Pam in San Bernardino
I have always wondered about poor Barsabbas! If you look at the
qualifications these men were to have, you realize that they both
were followers of Christ, which certainly meant that they had
already paid a certain price, either in the loss of their jobs or of
their former place in society. Both appeared to have the same
qualifications, and both were presumably proposed as excellent
candidates for the "job" because of their Christ-like walk in life.
Yet, Barsabbas has only this fleeting mention in the Bible, never to
be heard of again. I don't propose that he "toiled in vain," only
that he is an example for us of those whose work is rarely
recognized, yet equally as important as those in the spotlight. Give
us more (nay, make ME more) like Barsabbas! Willing to work without
the spotlight, perservering in God's work in the world. TunicaMike
Hi all.
TunicaMike pointed out that Barsabbas disappears after this brief
story. Good point. But now the punch line... SO DOES MATTHIAS!!! He
is never mentioned again, either.
So what are we to do with THAT! One thing we can do is point out
that GOD already had an eye on someone to replace Judas, someone who
would NOT disappear. 'Course, there was this small problem of his
needing conversion, but that would be taken care of soon enough...
on the road to Damascus!
Who says God doesn't have a sense of humour!!
Rick in Canada, eh?
Hi Rick,
About the 'real' twelfth apostle being Paul. I don't get it. Can you
explain why Matthias never getting mentioned again makes some people
think it was a mistake to pick him (or was a mistake to pick the
12th apostle then).
Something in me recoils at the suggestion that the choice was wrong
simply because of the ongoing silence about Matthias (or even
Barsabbus.) Is it in part because we see Paul as successful, and the
other two as not?
Seriously, if you can help me understand that point of view, that
would be great. Thanks
LukeW in Oz
Friends:
I enjoyed thinking about how we never hear again from either of
these leaders of the church. From that I find encouragement. The
church believed that they were both strong in their faith and able
to lead. God apparently supported one choice. Those chosen by God
rarely end up being know 2000 years later. As one who feels that God
has called me into this task of ministry, this is a good reminder
that my purpose is not to have my name carried into the future; it
is the name of Christ that must be heard and repeated.
I don't know if I'll use this line of thought in my sermon, but it
did me plenty of good tonight to think along these lines. Thank you
my friends for your inspiration.
Pam in San Bernardino
At some point the eyewitnesses were all dead. There were no reports
from the scene. This may have happened by the time that Luke-Acts
was being read. Who would lead in a time when the eyewitnesses were
no longer alive? In the UMC we lay hands on ministers to be
ordained. Then we go to our churches and lay hands on those who make
a commitment to Christ and his church.
We are a called to be disciples. Some are called into the
"apostolic" ministry. The ministry of the called or ordained. Others
are also called to ministry as part of a local church or para-church.
We sometimes refer to "the priesthood of all believers." We are
still part of the church which works to continue and fulfill the
mission of Christ.
I think that perhaps Barsabbas reprents the laity. Faithful workers
for the kingdom. Some are glad they have never been called others
grieve their lack of calling. I can only assume that Barsabbas
remained faithful. We know nothing more of him. The last we hear is
tht he is faithful.
Mathias then would represent the clergy.A faitful worker for God's
kingdom. Still the last we hear of Mathias is that he was faithful.
Called or not. Chosen or not. You still have a place in the Lord's
work.
SunCityRev
JG in WI
Much has been said that nothing is said of Matthias after his
selection. But it should be noted that nothing is also said of
Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Simon the Zealot, and James the
son of Alphaeus after chapter 1 of Acts. John, one of the inner
circle, is never mentioned unless he's with Peter and Peter does
almost all the talking. So, really, to say he's not mentioned again
is not a good measure, in my opinion.
MTSOfan - I read your story with delight and might just do that.
Luke W in Oz - Enjoyed your story as well... very much.
I am a Baptist and we're having a baptism this Sunday. This passage
speaks of the call of God as does adult baptism. God calls us though
we lack sufficient qualifications (by this world's estimation), but
didn't all the apostles? Not one was qualified to change the world.
We are often told that God won't give us more than we can handle. I
believe that's false. God always gives us more than we can handle...
so we learn to trust in Him alone and not our own strength.
Mid-week ramblings. Peace.
I have a lot of questions on this passage. Why did the disciples
assume that the 12th disciple Judas had to be replaced? Why 12 in
the first place? To represent the 12 tribes of Israel? Jesus did not
tell his disciples to replace Judas. This seems to be an assumption
on their part. If this replacing is a fulfillment of scripture, what
scripture is being fulfilled? Is this like God's promise to Abraham
that his descendants would be like the stars in heaven and the sand
on the seashore, and then when having a child didn't happen in the
time they thought it should, Abraham's and Sarah's trying to bring
it about through Abraham's liaison with Hagar with all its resulting
problems? Any time lots are cast there will be an answer. Can we or
the disciples assume, therefore, that God's hand is in the results
of the lots? Does God really make choices or decisions through our
drawing straws or casting of dice or stones? NY Pastor
Hi Luke.
I did not mean to imply that the choice of Matthias was a mistake. I
am quite sure he performed his ministry to the best of his ability,
and, like others have pointed out, faded into the mists of history,
but not from the loving hands of God!
I guess the point (which, I admit, came from a sermon I heard years
ago) is that God works through our structures (even if that invloves
rolling dice!), as well as outside of them (Saul, riding to Damascus
with "Arrest all Christians" orders in his back pocket!).
The challenge is to be as faithful as we can in our given situation
(as Peter was here), and at the same time be willing to look outside
our faithfulness for GOD'S faithfulness.
Hope this clarifies things a little.
Rick in Canada, eh?
Thanks for the great idea of numbering the bulletins and giving out
a "prize" of the honor of preaching next week's sermon. I am
adapting that a little bit -- the first two numbers drawn will get a
nice Bible bookmark. The "grand prize" will then be the sermon
invitation. We can then think about how much easier it is to receive
a free gift from God than to accept a responsibility. Surely
Matthias had been blessed by Jesus' ministry. Now he was chosen to
do something about it! Jenny in WI
Thank you for the great suggestion of giving away the "prize" of
preaching next week's sermon. I am going to adapt that slightly. The
second place "winner" will get a Bible bookmark. The first place
"winner" will get two Bible bookmarks. Then it is time for the GRAND
prize which is the honor of preaching the sermon. After such a
presentation, it should be clear that we love to receive the gifts
of God, but aren't as eager to respond by doing something. JD from
WI
Hi Rick,
Thanks for your second comment. I think I may have read more into
your first post that you really said. Thanks for your further
explanation, and I like the challenge that you mention. Trusting in
God's faithfulness is always the best option, but sometimes
difficult in practice.
All the best for Sunday. LukeW in Oz
Jenny in WI, that's a great adaptation of the idea! Thanks for
letting me know. MTSOfan
Hello! After a week of pondering, here is a rough outline of where
I'm headed with my sermon:
1. I'll tell a fictional story about a small church seeking a
pastor, where the final decision is made by a coin toss.
2. Reviewing the lectionary reading from Acts, discussing casting
lots and other times that lots were mentioned in scripture.
3. Talk about how reluctant we are to actually leave decisions in
God's hands. We often only turn to God when we've been unable to do
it on our own. In times of crisis, we are most likely to say, "Well,
I've done all I can. Now it is in God's hands."
4. Look at the piece of the story left out of the lectionary. Why
was it left out? What do we make of the unpleasantness? Luke felt it
was important to tell all of the story as we see the early church in
formation. Before we turn to God in prayer, before we ask God's help
in making decisions, might it not be important for us to acknowledge
all the "dirty little secrets"?
5. Whatever became of Mathias and Barsabbas? Luke doesn't tell us.
This may be a reminder that the focus of ministry is not ourselves
or our leaders, but the Gospel that must be heard.
6. Reading the passage from 1 John 5:9-13, we see that our ultimate
fate is already in God's hands. Even if we are reluctant to turn to
God for guidance, God has already given us eternal life.
7. How can we truly put it all in God's hands? Can we model our
decision making on what we find here in this scripture? Surely it
makes sense to outline our alternatives. Surely it makes sense to
take it to God in prayer. Maybe it also makes sense to toss a coin?
(I'm still working on the ending) Any suggestions will be joyfully
considered!
Blessings,
Pam in San Bernardino
They only considered two candidates that met the requirements but
that is because they did not consider the women. Understandable in
their time but how often do we "live in the world" so much that we
narrow our choices. Pedalling Pastor
The drawing Idea is a great one, but maybe next time when this text
comes up, number them all the same as we are all minister's in a
sense, all needing to share in the work of Christ. Today members of
the session will be casting lots on weather to chose me as their Lay
Pastor, so I'm cashing in my ticket, the text this week is very
powerful for me and I hope only that what I do for Christ will last,
and not who I am. Stepping aside for God's will and rolling up my
sleeves ! PJ of NY
