First Baptist Church Ottawa
Our Online Church School Lesson - May 5, 2024
And Matthias Makes Twelve - Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Today’s Scripture: Act 1:15-17, 21-26
Theme: And Matthias Makes Twelve
Opening Prayer: Dear God, thank you for allowing us to gather here today to learn more about Jesus. Please help our ears to listen, our minds to learn, and our hearts to love as we hear the stories of His work. Amen.
Today’s Lesson: Last week, we learned about the Ascension of Jesus, when he went up to Heaven to be with God after spending 40 days with his disciples after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. As the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, they knew not to leave Jerusalem because Jesus had told them to stay there. So, they traveled less than half of a mile from the Mount of Olives to an upper room in Jerusalem. Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James were all in the upstairs room. There, they prayed with the women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Jesus' brethren.
Peter stood up in the middle of about 120 of the disciples who were in the room and talked about Judas Iscariot who had betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said that the scriptures needed to be fulfilled concerning Judas. He had guided the Jews and the soldiers to Jesus where they had then arrested Him. Judas had been part of the twelve disciples from the beginning, but now he had died. Peter said that, with the money that Judas had received from the Jews, a field had been bought and turned into a cemetery for poor people. It was called "The Field Of Blood."
Since it was prophesied that someone would take Judas' place, there needed to be a choosing of a twelfth man to take Judas' place. Not just anyone could have been an apostle. Peter listed the qualifications of an apostle: the person must have been with the disciples all the time that Jesus was preaching and teaching, beginning with the baptism of John to the day Jesus was taken up into heaven, having witnessed Jesus' resurrection. Then, they chose two men--Joseph, who they also called Barsabbas, and Matthias. The disciples prayed and said that the Lord knew the hearts of all men and asked for Him to choose between the two men to be Judas' replacement. Then they cast lots between the two men and Matthias was chosen. From that time forward, Matthias was part of the twelve apostles. He would tell the world about Jesus and His love for all.
Let’s read today’s scripture now, and then we will look at these words a different way:
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said,
1:16 "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 --
1:17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."
1:21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 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."
1:23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen
1:25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."
1:26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Now, let’s think about this story in another way - as if it was being told by Peter himself. This is what is known as a first person narrative.
“My name is Peter. I am one of Jesus’ disciples. I was with Him from the beginning when John baptized Him. The past three years with Jesus have been exciting, but I want to tell you about the past month and a half. We came to Jerusalem with Jesus to celebrate the Passover. He tried to warn us that He was going to die, but we didn’t listen. I can still feel the panic and the fear that made me run away from the garden when the soldiers arrested Jesus. If I close my eyes I can almost hear the crowds shouting, “Crucify Him!” Worst of all was the emptiness of the Sabbath after Jesus died. I felt awful. I had denied knowing Him. I was so sorry, but I didn’t think I would ever be able to tell Him.
Then there was that incredible moment on Sunday morning when the women came bursting into the upper room shouting, “Jesus is alive!” We found it hard to believe them. Then Jesus appeared to us. During the past few weeks, we have spent time with Jesus learning more about His plans. Again He explained the prophecies and why He had to go to heaven. This time we listened to Him. A few days ago we walked with Jesus to the Mount of Olives. He told us to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will continue to guide us, helping us to understand more of God’s Word. As Jesus went up to heaven, we watched until we could no longer see Him. We were sad that Jesus was not with us, but this time it was different. We know that one day we will see Him again.
The other disciples, other believers, and I have been meeting in a large room. We talk about the things Jesus taught us and pray together. Earlier today there were about 120 in the room. I had been thinking about our special work to tell people about Jesus’ great love for them, and how He came to save them from their sins. We had to spread the good news here in Jerusalem as well as Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
I said, “Judas is dead. We should choose someone to take his place.” Everyone thought that was a good idea, so I continued. “His replacement should be one of the men who was in our group during the whole time that we traveled about with the Lord.” I wanted to pick someone who had been with Jesus from the time John baptized Him until He was taken up into heaven, someone who knew Jesus and could tell people about His love and how He died just for them. Two men were suggested: Joseph and Matthias. We prayed together: “Lord, You know the thoughts of everyone, so show us which of these two You have chosen to serve as an apostle in the place of Judas.” We drew lots, and Matthias was chosen to replace Judas.
Now we are waiting eagerly for the Holy Spirit. When He comes, amazing things will happen. I know that will be soon.”
Questions:
How do you think the disciples felt when they met Jesus after His resurrection?
How well do you think they listened at that time as Jesus explained the prophecies concerning Himself?
How did they feel when Jesus went to heaven?
What special work did Jesus give the disciples?
Why did Peter suggest selecting a new disciple?
What qualifications did they want the new disciple to have?
Today, Jesus still needs disciples to follow Him—people who know Him and will serve Him. Jesus’ friends need to know Him well so they can tell others about Him. These people will tell others about His love, and how He came to save them. How do we get to know Him well? Will you tell others about Jesus?
Closing Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of Jesus, and all that he has done for us with his great sacrifice. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, which opens our hearts and minds to the miracle of Jesus’s love so that we can tell others all about this blessed thing. Help us to remain patient while we seek to understand the depth of your love for us. Help us to remain faithful as we travel our own faith road every day of our lives. And help us to find the wisdom to tell others about you, just as the disciples of Jesus did, many years ago. Amen