Judas is replaced

Judas is replaced         

Acts 1:15, 16 ‘In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled’

Extra Reading:  Acts 1:12-26

Judas had died, either by his own hand (Matthew 27:5) or in a mysterious and way (v.18) or, as some scholars suggest, by a combination of the two accounts. In Peter’s judgment, the time had come for Judas to be replaced in the apostolic group.

Let’s pause to consider the scene. They met in the Upper Room where some of them have been staying (v.13) that is, lodging. The disciple group was augmented by our Lord’s mother Mary, and the other women who had been so loyal to him. Included also, were the brothers of Jesus (vv. 13, 14). Luke the historian, defines the ‘believers’ who gathered, as a group of some one hundred and twenty people (v.15). Because the conditions Peter laid down for apostleship related to those men who ‘have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us’ (vv.21, 22), we begin to understand that, as Jesus moved around the country, a large number of devoted men and women was in constant attendance, in addition to the disciples.

We could take liberty to speculate at length concerning this group of worthy people, many of whom Jesus would consider for apostleship before finally selecting the twelve. They had no formal recognition, but their presence would be an encouragement to the Master. They were loyal people, intent on learning the Lord’s ways. Presumably, they were caught up in the tragedy of the crucifixion and the triumph of the Resurrection and were welcomed into the close fellowship of prayer and expectation concerning the outpouring of the Spirit. It was to this extent and devoted group that Peter spoke about the replacement for Judas.

Prayer: Father God, may more people follow your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you that we are precious in your eyes. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Rev. Samuel N. Modise