The Healing Jesus: An Advent Devotional to Encourage Anybody and Everybodyናሙና

MATTHIAS: THE ONE WHO WAS THE REPLACEMENT

My name, Matthias, means gift of God. But I haven't always felt like a gift to those around me. I never felt like I fit in. When I saw John baptize Jesus, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I knew at that moment I wanted to follow this Jesus forever. I still remember the voice and seeing the dove. It was a holy moment, which was my turning point.

Me and another guy, Joseph, and I had been there through it all. All those journeys we were on together, walking from town to town, bonded us. We stayed up late, pinching each other to stay awake as Jesus taught. We spent long afternoons discussing what he could mean when telling us parables. But then everything changed.

When Judas Iscariot died, I was nominated, along with Joseph Barsabbas, as his replacement. It was hard being up against a good friend. We tried to keep things the same, but he was disappointed. Whether intentional or not, it is still hard when relationships drift.

I felt like I lost a friend when I became one of the twelve. Joseph and I don't talk as much as we used to. I am with the other eleven so much, but I don't always feel like I fit in there, either. I have a hard time speaking up. I don't want to be a reminder to every one of Judas. We are all still grieving over his loss.

Everyone thought it would be wise to cast lots to make the decision. Inside, I wasn't sure if I was the right person for the job. I hope God made the right decision. I don't want people to think I am something special. I would prefer them to think of me as a vessel to be used by God for what He sees fit.

Instead of looking at it as if I wasn't good enough to be in the original twelve, I want to choose instead to think of God having this specific moment in mind when he chose the twelve. I am a gift of God, to be used for this precise moment when I was needed.

Jesus is healing lives, even through change.

Questions for Talk it Over:

1. How did the disciples choose the replacement?

2. What is a significant change that has happened lately? Has that change been easy or challenging for you?

3. How is Jesus working in the challenging transitions of your life?