May 17, 2015 Text: Acts 1:12-26
Dear Friends in Christ,
Have you ever experienced not being chosen? Maybe it was a team, a job, a part in a play, a college you wanted to go to, a girl you loved. Feelings of rejection can creep into our minds. We start to question why? In the First Reading today, we hear both Justus and Matthias were considered as the one to replace Judas as the twelfth disciple. Matthias was chosen, and Justus was not. Justus knew the embarrassment of not being chosen for this position. Yet we know that Justus and every Christian are chosen by God to be witnesses for Him.
“CHOSEN BY GOD”
Someone needed to replace Judas. The apostles were together between Jesus ascension, which we celebrated on Thursday, and Pentecost, which is next Sunday. The apostles didn’t know the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was coming, but they did know they were to spread the good news about Jesus that the Lord himself delivered to them before He ascended. They needed to be at full strength. So they considered two men for the job – Justus and Matthias. Both were qualified and had experience. Both had served faithfully and would make a wonderful apostle. Both were loved by God, they were both good men, but only one could be chosen.
They cast lots, similar to our drawing straws, and Matthias was chosen. Today he is remembered as a saint and even has a day Feb. 24 – St. Matthias Day.
But what about Justus? He is the forgotten man, at least Scripturally. He is not heard from again. That is what sometimes happens when you are not chosen.
Justus probably hurt that day. He was qualified and experienced. One hundred and twenty of his fellow Christians said he was eligible, but Matthias got the job. Justus even knew that God had caused the lot to fall where it did. God chose Matthias rather than him. Oh, the sting.
We can feel for Justus. We want to be the chosen one. We want to be the favored one, best dressed, most likely to succeed, captain of the team. We want to be loved, admired, appreciated, and complimented. We want the honors, the awards, the promotions. Look, numero uno is I. Oh, and it feels good!
But in our world, we can’t all make it to the top. If we did the structure would all crumble. My mom always said, “Not everyone can be a chief, you need a few Indians.” No matter how the world of today tries to not let it happen, not everybody can be first. The reality is that there is no consolation prize. You either make the team or you don’t, get the job or told we can’t use you, achieve the college scholarship or receive the rejection letter. No matter how blessed we are, we have all had an experience where we were not the chosen one. It hurts, it stings, and it can cause tears of pain.
However, whether or not the world has chosen us for any special honors or awards, God by His grace has chosen us. To be chosen by God is the greatest recognition in life.
Time after time, Scripture reminds us of our chosen status. Isaiah wrote, “’You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off’; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:9-10) Jesus told his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (Jn. 15:16)
By Jesus’ death on the cross, He shows us that despite our sin we are special to God. We are the chosen ones who are loved, forgiven, and saved by His grace. The Holy Spirit places us on God’s spiritual team, the Church. Here, He invites us to come to His Holy Table, where we receive body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins.
We are God’s chosen ones, and that is a blessing for us. Words spoken to us can make a big difference in our lives. A coach says, “You made the team.” A teacher tells us, “You are an outstanding student.” A beloved whispers, “I do” when they are asked if they will marry you. A boss announces, “You are getting the promotion.” The hostess at a busy restaurant summons you by name and you feel pretty good as you walk by the others who are waiting. In words spoken to us at our Baptism, God lovingly says to you and I, “You are my child. I forgive your sins. You are now part of my family of faith.” The power of God’s word to us.
Our value to God is not measured by how many teams we have been on, how many awards we have won, the top of the mountain we think we’ve achieved or how others view us. Rather, God, who made us in His image and saves us by His grace, gives our worth to us. Never forget or doubt that in Christ, we are chosen by God.
Amen.