SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:12-26
OBSERVATIONS
1. (vv.12-14) Something happened to keep them from giving up. If Jesus had only died, then they would have been hard-pressed to keep on praying, after such a major discouragement. Something kept them going. Its hard to think that they would rally around a hoax, as some suggest.
APPLICATION: The resurrection is the reason for hope beyond the grave. Even though death happens, the experience of the resurrection is enough to keep me going, even if everything looks bleak. Prayer is an expression of this hope.
2. (vv.16-19) Compare this story to Matthew 27:3-10. Did Judas hang Himself, or did he fall and his body burst open. Technically both of these stories could be true, assuming the rope broke and his body fell. The key is whether we read the story skeptically or graciously. How you approach the apparent conflicts will determine what you conclude about them.
APPLICATION: People who look for contradictions will find them, people who look for explanations will find them. At least we admit that our faith shapes our reading of the text; those who read critically often deny their bias, assuming that their reading is unbiased and rational. There is no such thing as reading without a bias!
3. (vv.20-26) This model suggests how the early church selected and appointed its leaders: (a) look for those qualified (v.21-23) (b) pray for the Lord’s hand in the process (vv.24-25) (c) Cast lots to determine the Lord’s decision (v.26).
APPLICATION: This process does not bypass the need for qualifications (one with us the whole time) nor a selection process by the community of believers, but once narrowed down, the lot process is a helpful way of determining the Lord’s direction. Would this work in other areas (deciding on a call)?
PRAYER:
Lord, my faith in You keeps me confident, even when facing hardship or criticism. Help me to be discerning in the decisions I am called to make, but help me also to discern Your leading as I make the decisions. Amen.
God’s people are to be praying people. After witnessing His Ascension, the body of believers got together to pray constantly. Lord, teach me to pray.
What a change in the apostles. Their understanding of the Scriptures before His Ascension and now. God’s Spirit was at work. His hand was upon their lives, not only when they prayed, but also upon their daily affairs such as selecting a replacement. After they had proposed two men to replace Judas, God’s hand through prayer and lot selected the new apostle. Lord, help me to see Your leading in the daily affairs of life. Help me also to see You, to hear You as I live for You. May all my decisions, big and small, be rooted in You.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord
Incline Thine ear to us, And grant us Thy peace.