Lent 2025 Day 34: Sat 12 Apr
Acts 1:15-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, ‘Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.’
18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 ‘For,’ said Peter, ‘it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,”
and “May another take his place of leadership.”
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.’
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Jesus has gone back to heaven, but the promise of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring had not yet been fulfilled. Peter gets up and starts to organise things. He feels that someone should take the place of Judas as one of the Twelve.
We hear what seems to be an alternative account of Judas’ death. Some have managed to harmonise the hanging in Matthew’s account with the splash Peter describes, but it does not really matter. Judas has died, and his final actions are known among the people of Jerusalem. His blood money is used to purchase a burial ground, and Judas has left his apostolic ministry to go where he belongs. Peter may have pronounced summary retrospective judgement on Judas here, but God decides these things, not Peter.
Still, these are strange days. Jesus has left, and they are waiting. Perhaps Peter was speaking out of turn (remember him on the mountain with Jesus, Moses and Elijah?). I think Peter’s true authority will come when he and the others experience the Holy Spirit’s power at Pentecost.
The result of the election was someone who has gone down in the annals of history without a trace – we hear not another word about Matthias. Perhaps they should have waited on God’s choice rather than restrict him to two candidates.
Who judges Judas?
Father God, your Son Jesus is head of the Church. Teach us to seek his direction and guidance for all our churches and fellowships. Amen.
2:16:27 Sehet, Jesus hat die Hand (Arie)
60. Aria A (Chorus I) and Chorus II
Look, Jesus has stretched out his hands
to embrace us,
come! – where? – in Jesus' arms
seek redemption, receive mercy,
seek it! – where? – in Jesus' arms.
Live, die, rest here,
you forsaken chicks,
stay! – where? – in Jesus' arms.
61a. Evangelist And from the sixth hour there was a darkness over the entire land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out loudly and said:
Jesus Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?
Evangelist That is: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of those, however, who were standing by, when they heard this, said:
Ends at 2:21:30
Paul