NAMED, BUT UNKNOWN - MATTHIAS

His name is printed only twice in the Scriptures, both in the first chapter of the Book of Acts; once in the twenty-third verse, and three verses later in verse twenty-six. He is mentioned only twice, and then, his story is left to our imagination.

After Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the brothers and sisters gathered to worship and seek the Lord’s continuing direction. With Peter at the pulpit, the fledgling church conducted its first order of business. They sought a replacement for Judas.

First, they prayed for God’s clear direction (Acts 1:24). Then, trusting God, they drew straws. They cut the deck. They played eenie-meenie. They rolled the dice. “They cast lots” (Acts 1:26). With God sovereignly directing the outcome, there was no chance of failure. “The lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26).

Matthias… the twelfth Apostle. Why did God select Matthias? Two reasons.

First, Matthias had “accompanied (the other apostles) during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among … beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up” (Acts 1:22). Matthias was a first-hand witness to the feeding of the five thousand, to the healing of the blind, the cripples, the lepers, to the Lord’s victory over demonic powers, and to the counter-cultural sermons and parables of the Master Teacher. Matthias was among those who witnessed the sinless life, the vicarious death, the victorious resurrection, and the promise-filled ascension of the Messiah, King Jesus.

That leads us the second reason that God chose Matthias. He was selected as a witness, to carry the message of saving grace to those living in utter darkness. Matthias was selected to preach, teach, and give personal testimony concerning Jesus, the Son of the Living God.

It’s interesting… the name Matthias means “gift of God.” That’s who he was… and that’s what he delivered to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth… the gift of God.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).