Waiting around is never very interesting. Jesus had told the disciples to wait. He specifically told them to wait for the power that had been promised. There were about 120 of them waiting there upstairs. That means not only the 11 chosen apostles, and the larger group of 70 disciples that Jesus had sent out on the missionary journeys to prepare the way before him, but about 39 more followers, and members of his earthly family, such as James his brother who had not followed Jesus in His lifetime. Then, of course there were the women, because this census never counted the women.
What do you do while you wait? They must have been studying Scriptures, looking through the prophecies, looking for answers, because God knows they had questions! Suddenly, Peter realized what they must do. The prophecies in Psalms had said that someone else should take the betrayer's place. So, they needed to fill up this empty spot.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his office let another take. Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
How did they fill the empty seat, the empty office, the empty spot in their midst? They spoke, they chose two, and they put them before the Lord, and they prayed. Then they drew lots, like casting dice and drawing for the short straw. They trusted that God would let the correct outcome take place in the random act. Matthias was chosen. Now they were ready. And, so they waited. Look around you. What's missing? Who is missing?
What do you do while you wait? They must have been studying Scriptures, looking through the prophecies, looking for answers, because God knows they had questions! Suddenly, Peter realized what they must do. The prophecies in Psalms had said that someone else should take the betrayer's place. So, they needed to fill up this empty spot.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his office let another take. Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
How did they fill the empty seat, the empty office, the empty spot in their midst? They spoke, they chose two, and they put them before the Lord, and they prayed. Then they drew lots, like casting dice and drawing for the short straw. They trusted that God would let the correct outcome take place in the random act. Matthias was chosen. Now they were ready. And, so they waited. Look around you. What's missing? Who is missing?
