The Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle
Posted on February 24, 2025 by under
Scripture: Acts 1:15-26 (NKJV)
1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it’;
and,
‘Let another take his office.’
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Devotion
“And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
The Gospel according to St. Matthew in particular makes it clear that Jesus is Israel reduced down to one. In calling the Twelve, Jesus was revealing and establishing the ministry of the New Israel. That New Israel is the one holy Christian, catholic, and Apostolic Church. To be built on the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), is to receive what the Holy Spirit led them to entrust to us in Holy Scripture.
Oddly, we never hear of Matthias again in Holy Scripture! He is added to the Eleven to make Twelve again, and that’s it. No further mention in Acts, no letters to churches or accounts of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit worked these things through others. Matthias’ vocation was to be the Twelfth Apostle, and he was. He is remembered that we may rejoice to be the Israel of God, as are all believers, whether Jew or Gentile, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Collect: O Almighty God, Who by Thy Son Jesus Christ, didst give to Thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and commandest them earnestly to feed Thy flock: Make, we beseech Thee, all Pastors diligently to preach Thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Sexagesima Sunday
O Lord God, Who seest that we put not our trust in anything that we do: Mercifully grant that by Thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
