The physician Luke wrote how “Peter” stood among the people in the upper room in Jerusalem and told them they needed to choose a replacement for “Judas” who was no longer a disciple of Jesus. “They appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, which know the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have chosen, ...”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke wrote how the disciples wanted the newly chosen apostle to, “take part of this ministry and apostleship” where we read:
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell,
that he might go to his own place.
The verse begins, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, ...” Luke began with the words, “that he may take part” which means “so he, the newly chosen disciple, may participate in an allotted portion” “of this ministry” or “pertaining to the service and office” “and apostleship” which means “and sending out, commission and apostolate”, “from which Judas” or “that Judas Iscariot whose name means he shall be praised” “by transgression fell” which means “by violation to the command of God departed, abandoned and turned from his apostleship”. Luke shared how “Peter” and the disciples continued their prayer by telling God the purpose for inquiring of Him was so the new “disciple” chosen could be involved the service and commission which was forfeited by “Judas”.
The verse goes on to say, “... that he might go to his own place.” Luke continued with the words, “that he might go” or “so Judas could depart” “to his own place” which means “to the location he belongs”. Luke shared how “Peter and the other disciples” mentioned that Judas departed to the “place” he belongs.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn not only the purpose for a new “disciple” being chosen, but also how this vacancy was made available through “Judas” failure and subsequent destination. God wants all people to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, they receive a “commission” in the His Kingdom that is not to be forfeited. Although the “disciples of Jesus” needed to find a replacement for “Judas”, let it never be said someone needs to be found to replace those who have yielded their life to Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how the disciples, “gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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