Waiting, Praying, and Choosing – Trusting God for What’s Next (Acts 1:12-26)
After Jesus went back to heaven, His followers were left with a big task: spread His message to the world. But before they could start, they needed to wait, pray, and prepare.
Back to the Upper Room
Right after Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, just as He had told them. They went to an upstairs room where they were staying—probably the same place they had been meeting before.
There were 11 apostles now (Judas was no longer with them), and they were joined by other followers—about 120 people in total, including Mary (Jesus’ mother) and His brothers.
What were they doing?
They weren’t rushing into action or trying to figure everything out on their own.
They were praying together, waiting for the gift Jesus had promised: the Holy Spirit.
Filling the Empty Spot
Peter stood up and said something important. He reminded everyone that Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, had fulfilled what the Scriptures said would happen. But now, they needed to choose someone to take his place as an apostle.
Why did this matter? Because Jesus had chosen 12 apostles, and that number was symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel. It showed completeness and God’s plan.
Peter said the new apostle had to be someone who had been with them the whole time—from Jesus’ baptism to His resurrection.
They came up with two candidates:
-
Joseph (called Barsabbas, also known as Justus)
-
Matthias
Letting God Decide
Instead of voting or arguing, they prayed.
They asked God to show them who He had chosen.
Then they cast lots (similar to rolling dice or drawing straws), and the lot fell to Matthias. He was added to the group of apostles.
This may seem like a strange way to make a decision today, but in Bible times, casting lots was a common way to seek God’s guidance when choices had to be made—and when both options were good.
What This Means for Us
This story reminds us of a few important truths:
-
God works through prayer. The early believers didn’t rush ahead—they waited and prayed together.
-
God still leads today. Even when we face tough decisions, we can trust Him to guide us.
-
Everyone matters. Matthias isn’t a famous name in the Bible, but God chose him for an important role. That shows us that we don’t have to be well-known to be part of God’s plan.
Sometimes, the most powerful things we can do are the simplest: gather with others, pray, and trust God with what comes next.
God doesn’t just want us to do something—He wants us to do the right thing, at the right time, with His help.
Acts 1:12-26 (WEB)
1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.15 In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, 16 “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. 17 For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry. 18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed out. 19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms,‘Let his habitation be made desolate.Let no one dwell in it;’and,‘Let another take his office.’21 “Of the men therefore 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 the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”23 They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” 26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.