Raising Matthias

Are there any people in your life like Matthias?

Matthias is a name from the Bible that you probably don't know. It's a $2,000 Jeopardy question in the "Names of the Bible" category.

That's not surprising in and of itself.  There are lists and lists in the Bible with funny Hebrew names that no one can ever pronounce at Bible study.  No one remembers them all, so no big deal if we don't remember Matthias, right?

Except that Matthias was an apostle.

Maybe you've heard of the apostles.  They were Jesus' "inner circle", the chosen men who spent more time with him than anyone else.  Out of the thousands and thousands who followed Jesus during his lifetime, the apostles had the closest contact and the greatest responsibility.  Simon Peter was an apostle.  James and John were apostles.  Matthew (the one who wrote part of the Bible) was an apostle.

And Matthias was an apostle, too.  He was the man in Acts 1 who took the place of Judas, the one who sold out Jesus for a pocketful of cash.  The other disciples decided they needed to fill the vacant position with a new face.  And that face was the face of Matthias.

Peter says in Acts 1, "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, 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.  So they proposed two men:  Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias.  Then they prayed [and] cast lots and the lot fell to Matthias."

When I read that paragraph again this month, this thought struck me:  Did anyone have any clue what Matthias would become? 

Did his parents know he would be an apostle when they first started teaching him about God?  Did his friends know his prestigious future when they sat around on a Friday night and wrestled with spriitual issues?  Did Matthias himself even know his future calling when he first began to follow Jesus?

The obvious answer is no!  And yet, weren't those moments essential in Matthias's future calling?  It might have been a little thing to start listening to Jesus in those early days, but it was qualifying him to be an apostle.  It might have been routine to listen to Jesus' sermons and discuss them with the other disciples, but it was grouding him in the truths of God so he could lead the church after Jesus' resurrection.  All those lessons and sermons and discussions and prayers may have seemed like a routine to Matthias during those three years, but in essence they were qualifying him to make a tremendous impact for Christ in the world.

I'd like you to think about the "Matthiases" in your life.  Whom are the people that you influence?  Whom do you teach?  For whom do you model the faith?  Do you have children?  Grandchildren?  Friends who "talk God" with you?

Those conversations and moments may not seem earth-shattering.  In fact, they might be part of your routine, but don't underestimate their importance.  You never know the foundation you might be setting for a future leader or teacher or pastor or counselor or missionary.  You never know if a "Matthias" is in your life.  His/her name might not be known just yet, but it might be.  And you might be qualifying that person for the future calling God has for them.

Let me share my story as an example.  I never grew up wanting to be a pastor.  I never considered it, to be honest.  I used to fill out those "Career Dreams" forms in grade school the same way every single year:  "Career Choice #1:  Professional Soccer Player.  Career Choice #2:  Businessman.  Career Choice #3:  Businessman."

I didn't have a third option!  Now, I could give you the reasons why option #1 never worked out...Soccer politics or bad refs or poor coaching or some other very good reason for me not being famous made Career Choice #1 just a dream...It definitely couldn't have been a lack of talent...

But I actively pursued the business career.  I took the high school classes and thought about my options in business.  Meanwhile, however, my mom took me to church.  And my Sunday School teachers taught me about Jesus.  And my pastors taught me the Bible. 

Did any of us know that I would later be a preacher?  Nope.  Could I have become a preacher without them?  Nope.  They were making an impact far beyond what they could have ever imagined. 

I'd love for you to ponder that thought today--"Is there a Matthias in my life?"  Could there be?  If so, how much importance does that add to your "routine"?  How much value does that add to the daily prayers and devotions and honest discussions?  How will you view those ordinary moments with your kids or your friends?

I pray that you will see the important role you play in sharing the gospel.  By sharing it with just one person, you never know how far the message will spread.  You never know when Matthias might hear your message.

God bless,

Pastor Mike