Note: This is a guest post since presently I am overseas. This is by Tom. Tom is no stranger to those of you who read this blog. His blog be found here.
We all know the story in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter one, when Peter determined someone needed to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles:
“And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” – Acts 1:23-26.
By the casting of lots, Matthias was selected, but whatever happened to Joseph-Barsabbas who was rejected? The Bible makes no mention of him after this event, but I’ve often thought about him. No doubt he had felt honored to be considered for the office of apostle, and perhaps he was disappointed when Matthias was chosen instead of him.
We often view the apostles as great men who were responsible for organizing the early church and evangelizing the world. But these men were servants of Christ who devoted themselves entirely to the Lord’s work that would eventually cost them their earthly lives. The gave no thought to fame or fortune, but only desired to be bond slaves of Jesus Christ. The office of apostle was nothing to seek after in the flesh. What it required of a man was nothing the world would envy.
After I accepted Christ many years ago, my wife and I plugged into a local church. I desired to serve the Lord, but looking back, perhaps some of my motivation was to receive the honor of men. I began teaching children’s Sunday School and after a few years I was asked over the phone if I would like to be a deacon. It took me about two seconds to consider before I said yes. Poof! That was it. I was a deacon and happily began attending the weekly deacon meetings with the other “big shots” at church. Boy, I was really something! But as weeks and months passed, I found that the “prestige” was little compensation for the work and responsibility. I had desired to be a deacon mostly for all the wrong reasons. Noting my increasingly poor attendance at the weekly meetings, the chairman of the deacon board called on the phone and asked if my heart was really in it anymore and I was relieved to resign.
What happened to Joseph-Barsabbas? Did he graciously accept the Lord’s decision and continue serving in other ways? Or was he hurt and dejected? I’d like to think his attitude was the former rather than the latter. We like to ascribe greatness to the apostles, but it was an office of selfless servitude that required complete sacrifice. Being selected as a candidate for apostleship was not a great honor as the world defines honor. It would require everything of the one chosen. I imagine both Matthias and Joseph-Barsabbas trembled and prayed about the looming responsibility of being chosen an apostle.
Let us all seek to serve the Lord in all humbleness and sincerity and not for the praise of men. Someone may feel rejection for being passed over for a certain position or responsibility, but we can be grateful that the Lord counts us worthy to serve in any position. Our brothers and sisters who have the more prominent positions and responsibilities in the Body need our support and prayers.
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” – Romans 12:3
Brother Tom thank you for writing this post while I am away; it is a reminder for myself to be humble, among many other things. Thanks Tom!
Thank you, brother Jimmy! All praise to Him who continuously conforms us to the image of His Son. Praying for your return!
Good stuff here, Tom, thanks. I had never really thought much about that fellow! I now wonder what he did? Did he shrug it off and go do what the Lord said anyway? Did be feel rejected and bitter and quite? Good questions. You know, in our church, I won’t ever hold an office. That, in our work, meaning that of Deacon. By our general consensus, I am disqualified from that due to my past marital history. Right or wrong, that is how we roll traditionally. I actually don’t care one bit. I just do what God says and roll on. The choice of how I exercise my service is not mine, but God’s. On the other hand, the occurrence of those holding official church offices doing absolutely nothing is distressing. I think some think they have “arrived” at that time, and that their office is simply their reward for past faithful service, and that they can slow down. Ha…bet you didn’t expect all that, Tom. Be blessed today, and how cool to see you over here.
Thanks a lot, Wally!
RE: I just do what God says and roll on. The choice of how I exercise my service is not mine, but God’s.
Yes, being able to serve the Lord in any ministry – even in a blogging ministry – is such a privilege. We are to just keep pressing forward for the Lord and not seeking the praise of men. Thanks and you be blessed too! See you back in “Truth in Palmyra”!
Reblogged this on Brandon J. Adams.
Thank you for the re-blog, Brandon!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the re-blog, Vincent!
You’re very welcome Tom 😎
Great post. Love your humble heart before the Lord. He can do great things with that.
Thanks, Heather! Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy and for the humble example of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
I like this post a lot. Who knows what all this individual accomplished for Christ! Another reminder that this life is not about us!
How are you Carey???
Thanks, Carey!
RE: this life is not about us!
Amen! Yes, more of Christ and less of self.
I gotta be more humble
What a great Bible lesson in being content with our station in life
Humbling read as I’ve been self-pitying this week. Just what I needed.
Thank you for this post Tom
I’m reminded that its not about me and what I want as being first.
Never knew about this in the Bible
It’s up to God
Never thought too deeply about this Joseph before
When people say “why are there people not chosen?” This is what I say: By what standard of morals are you judging God to say he owes you? The scripture asks who are you o’man to Judge God?
Hey.. only Jesus Christ is lord. I’m born again. He made the universe .. he died as the christ and rose as king of kings and lord of lords. But poems can be nice too. And we both share an encounter when we became born again. X