Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Thursday, May 16, 2013 Acts 1:21-26 In actuality the words about the fate of Judas are somewhat of an aside in Luke’s telling of the story. Perhaps they simply provide a way to bring some resolution to the episode of Judas. The real matter for Luke is the need for a replacement for Judas. Luke tells us that it was necessary that Judas be replaced and that the fellowship of the Twelve be restored. One might wonder if this is only for symbolism sake or does Luke have something more in mind. Why must there be the Twelve? As one reads through the book of Acts it becomes apparent that the Twelve are the ones who authenticate the mission of the church. So they have a function beyond mere symbolism. When the gospel is preached to the Samaritans the Twelve go to Samaria to verify the ministry. When Cornelius, the gentile, is converted Peter needs to return to Jerusalem and face the Twelve and defend his actions. When the ministry of the church in Antioch takes place the Twelve verify what happens and eventually when Paul’s ministry has begun, he too must come to Jerusalem and his ministry is finally authorized by the Twelve who are there in Jerusalem. The Twelve have a function of authentication in Luke’s story. It is for this reason that it is essential that someone be appointed to take the place of Judas. Jesus had said that the Twelve would sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:28-30) – to them the kingdom had been given, so there must be twelve to fulfill this function. Luke goes on to lay out the criteria upon which the decision was to be made. To be a member of the Twelve one needed to have been with Jesus from the beginning and witnessed all things up to the time when Jesus was lifted up into heaven. In Luke’s perception there is a difference between eyewitnesses and other witnesses. He has told us that he is passing on what has been reported by eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2). The report of eyewitnesses again is a matter of authentication. Even though Luke himself is telling the story “second-hand” it is important that there were “first-hand” witnesses, eyewitnesses to the event. Two men are put forward as fulfilling the criteria. We don’t know if there were more than two who would have fit the need. And, perhaps there were women who may have fit the criteria as well – Luke has told us that they traveled with Jesus from the beginning (Luke 8:1-3). Wouldn’t it have been amazing if a woman had been suggested? – but perhaps that was way ahead of possibility. At any rate two men are put forward. The final selection is placed in God’s hands – lots are cast and the lot fall to Matthias. The Twelve are restored – the mission can begin. And one of the surprising things is that Matthias is never heard of again. In fact, most of the Twelve are silent in the book of Acts. The main characters in the book of Acts are others – Barnabas, Stephen, Paul to name a few. None of them were members of the Twelve. One more note to make is the way in which Luke uses the title “Apostle.” Luke is careful, with one exception, to use the title “Apostle” only when referring to the Twelve. So, Paul is not referred to by Luke as an “Apostle”. Paul, himself, insisted that he was an Apostle and defended his apostleship in his letters. We need not make much of this difference. Luke and Paul were talking in different ways. For Luke, an Apostle was a member of the Twelve. For Paul, an Apostle was simply one who was sent – which is what the word apostle means.