Heart Meditations

Scripture- Acts 1:15-26

Act 1:15-26  In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,  (16)  “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.  (17)  For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”  (18)  (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.  (19)  And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)  (20)  “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’  (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 men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”  (23)  And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.  (24)  And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show 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 numbered with the eleven apostles.

Observation – A couple things jumped out at me from this passage.  First the Holy Spirit had already revealed that Judas would betray Jesus.  Second Judas had to be replaced. Third he must be replaced by someone who could be a witness of the ressurection.

Application – It can seem ironic that God can forsee that future but often seems not to alter it.  All the pain the disciples must have experienced during that time with Judas and then for them to discover from scripture that it had already been predicted.  For me this says that even the most difficult things we experience in life and ministry God already knows about and if He has chosen not to alter them it must mean He can also foresee a way for Him to be glorified through it.  I arrive home yesterday from a really amazing time in the US speaking at a camp meeting (a week long Christian retreat) to the youth (14-18 year olds).  I have never seen the power of God in the way that I saw last week.  I get back to Heathrow with my two year old daughter and we go to get the car everything is going well.  We start driving back to Sussex when I notice that there is a warning light on the dash board of the car.  However the car sometimes has false alarms so I keep going.  Then I find myself getting really drowsy, in fact I fall a sleep a couple of times for a few seconds!  So I decide to pull of at the next service station (rest stop) to have a power nap.  When I woke up the car wouldn’t start.  To cut a long story short the AA came out and I had to take the car to the garage because it was that bad.  Eliayna and I had to get the train home with all our stuff etc.  When I got the estimate from the mechanics they quoted me £800 to get it fixed!  However reading this story tells me that God knew this was going to happen and as I speak God has already provided the money for us to get the work down and another mechanic who will do it for less!  God sometimes allows difficulties but He always provides a way to deal with it too.

The second thing I noticed is that after Judas betrayed Jesus they felt lead by scripture to replace him.  I was wondering why and it seemed to meperhaps it was inorder that they were able to go two by two as Jesus had taught them.  This tells me that itis so important to stay connected in life and ministry with others who can share your journey.

Third the person had to have been a witness of all the Jesus had done especially the ressurection.  Why couldn’t they have just thought some engaging story teller or convincing speaker all the stories and arguments  for accepting Jesus as Lord?  It was not enough for them to be a gifted speaker, or good with people or an intellectual, the basic qualification to be one of the 12 and an apsotle was to have spend time with Jesus and be a witness to the power of His resurrection.  The same qualifications apply today. Have I been spending time with Jesus, have I beenexperiencing the power of the resurrected Christ?  Or do I just know the theory?

Finally sometime else just popped out at me, men can nominate but it is God who calls and set apart to ministry.

Prayer-  Lord thank you for bringing us back safely and taking care of everything.  Thank you the car broke down when it did.  That you for knowing everything that will ever happen to me good and bad and already having a plan to deal with it.  Lord help me to stay connected in my life and ministry and not to try and go it alone.  Father also please keep me spending time with Jesus and allow me to see the power of the in my life andlife of others.

Amen