Divine Necessity

Acts 1:15-26 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his place of leadership.’  21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
 
IT was a good crowd. One hundred twenty are gathered in to worship Jesus and to await the Holy Spirit. Peter leads them. The Lord has redeemed Peter’s denials of Jesus. Peter is the Lord’s choice to speak for this group who will begin building the church. Peter is now faithful to the Lord’s commands. He begins to live into his purpose.
   As they await the Holy Spirit, the disciples’ first work of the church is to replace Judas. Peter explains why. “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas.” The phrase had to be in Hebrew means divine necessity – it is  the Lord’s will. During Jesus’ post resurrection ministry, our Lord opened their minds, so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45) Peter understood God had spoken long ago through David in Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8. The only response is to obey the divine necessity.
   To qualify to be chosen as the 12th apostle, one needed to have been with Jesus from the beginning. We may be surprised to learn there were men who followed Jesus alongside the Twelve. Justus and Matthias were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry. Such men would witness to the world all Jesus had done from his baptism to ascension.
   The disciples used the lot method to determine God’s choice. Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. They would have written the two names on respective stones and placed them in a bottle. The name that fell from the shaken bottle was chosen. This is the last time in Scripture lots are used to determine God’s will. Prayer for the divine necessity must be the church’s method now.