After the ascension of our Lord into heaven, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, about 120 in number, and spoke of the suicide of Judas and the need to fill his place among the apostles.  Acts 1:16-26 tells us, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.  For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.   Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.  And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.  And they appointed two men, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven.”

            I do not believe that I have ever seen an article written about Matthias and the reason why is that there is very little information known about him.  The passage we have looked at from Acts 1 is all that there is.  However, there is a quality of character that this man obviously possessed that is indicated by his time spent as a disciple of the Lord.  In order to be considered as a replacement for Judas, the individual had to “have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Matthias had been a disciple of Jesus for approximately three years.  During that time he was not part of the specially chosen twelve, the men that Jesus called apostles.  The fact that he was not one so chosen by the Lord did not prevent him from following and serving the Master.  Many have great difficulty being in what may be considered a position of secondary importance, at least as man may view it.  For some, only a position of prominence will satisfy.  Not so with Matthias.

I look at Matthias and I see the vast number of people who make up the army of the Lord.  Not everyone occupies a position of perceived prominence.  Not all are deacons, elders, or preachers; but each individual member is equally important.  The men and women who make up the majority of the Lord’s church live their lives serving the Lord to the best of their ability whether it is recognized by any one on this earth or not.  There would be no church without men like Matthias.

                                                Greg Litmer

BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT

If thoughts arise from your heart,

That you think might be wrong,

Take my advice, let them depart,

Be sure you are right, then go on.

Remember too that what you do,

If it be right or wrong,

There are always eyes a watching you,

Be sure you are right, and then go on.

The Bible tells us about the Church of Christ,

And we know The Church means one,

It tells us so plain and simple and nice,

We are sure we are right, and we then go on.

And now folks let me say to you,

As you go traveling along,

There is one thing it pays to do,

Be sure you are right, and then go on.

And do not depend on what you have heard,

For that might lead you wrong,

Read the Gospel and learn the Word,

Be sure you are right, and then go on.

By Preston O. Fentress