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15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16 "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 NRSV)
Happy and Blessed Wednesday, ConCafe Family! May joys be yours today as you move forward in the Lord, dear Friend! Good report regarding Joyce Harris' surgery; all went well, the surgeon is pleased, and we pray for a great recovery! Thank you for your prayers!
The crowd that believed in Jesus and who followed Him around was "about one hundred twenty persons," which includes the 12, minus one Judas Iscariot. The 120 were right there watching and experiencing first-hand the experiences, miracles, rejections, acceptances, et al, that Jesus was doing. I beleive it was a privilege and a once-in-a -lifetime experience to have been right there at the crucial turning event in history; God's Son in ministry in the world in the flesh. Your life would never be the same. The stories you would tell would border on "I can't believe that" on the part of your listeners." I would probably weep at trying to share how I had seen Jairus' daughter brought back to life. I lie, I would be openly sobbing! And there at Lazarus' tomb and seeing and hearing Jesus weep; gosh, again, sob city. Then, the actual coming out of the tomb experience would have been something awesome. I would have known right then that I was now a supernatural person, having seen things that I could not explain. The list would go on and on; and we come to the night that Judas betrayed Jesus. The anger and desire to do something to Judas was hindered by the fear of what the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman soliders were capable of; Judas might be well protected at all times. News of his suicide would have saddened the group even with the knowledge that he had betrayed Jesus; and here in the safety of the Upper Room, this meeting is held to talk about Judas' replacement. Peter calls this person, "a witness with us to His resurrection." Two names are brought forward for consideration as replacement for Judas. The first name was Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus; the second name was Matthias. Beyond their names, not much is known.Some believe him to be among the 70 disciples sent by Jesus on that special mission. Legend also has him becoming the Bishop of Eleutheropolis, where he died a martyr and is venerated as Saint Justus of Eleutheropolis. Yet he was not chosen as the succesor of Judas. The one elected, by a game of chance called Lots, was Matthias. That election elevated him from the minors to the majors, to use a baseball term. But, to have been among the 120 was a major thing in and of itself, but to be selected as one of the Twelve was a MAJOR deal.
Dear one, even today, to be a follower of Jesus Christ, is a major deal. As we read yesterday, God is our witness to our belonging to Christ and as such have eternal life. And as God is our witness, we serve a Risen Savior, and as such we have seen and heard and experienced a lot, in fact, enough with which to share with others about a better way to live. We are the new witnesses like Matthias, of Who Jesus is, and can be, in the lives of those who surrender to Him.
Many ask, "Does God really need more witnesses?" Yes. Honestly, we should be willing witnesses, blessed and thankful for all God has done for us, instead of feeling drafted and pressed into service, and forced to give witness to a loving God. Love God enough to talk positively about God, and realize that in so doing, we might just be saving people's souls for all eternity. This morning I was sitting at the CVS here in Seguin when I heard a loud thump on the window. I looked out and saw a sparrow laying on the sidewalk. It apparently flew into it and was injured. How seriously, I did not know. I went outside and saw it was on its side. I gently turned it and it went on both legs. I poured some water on the lid of my water bottle and placed it in front of it. It did not take the water but opened its beak and closed it, as if saying something and it flew off. As I shared the story with Nellie, she said, "It was saying thank you!" I said, "I hope so!" The thing is, I did my part; small and insignificant as it may have been, and whatever we may do on behalf of helping others to come to life, the impact what may happen does not matter, we have been faithful now.
PRAYER: Loving God, make our hearts swell with love for all. We want to be Your witnesses in the lives of those around us in ways that we share the fullness of life. May our witness be faithful, while we allow the fruits to be Yours. We pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show a witness for Jesus today!
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
