February 24 marks the feast day of Saint Matthias the Apostle for Anglicans (his feast day is celebrated on May 14 in Roman Catholicism and on August 9 in Eastern Orthodoxy). Saint Matthias is unique in church history in that he is the first apostle admitted to the College of Apostles by election (casting lots) after the ascension of Jesus. Until that point, the first 12 apostles were called by Jesus himself. Matthias was selected by the College of Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot after his apostasy and subsequent death. Matthias was chosen, instead of another candidate, named Justus, when the College of Apostles cast lots to make their selection. These events are recorded in Acts 1:12-26.
Matthias’ election was an important milestone in the early church because it demonstrated a key transition in the leadership of the church. Apostolic succession was at stake and the apostles wanted to make sure that they got it right. Today the College of Bishops have become the successors to the apostles in an unbroken chain of succession. This tradition is modeled after the events that took place in Acts 1 and for that we are thankful that the Holy Spirit continues to lead the church through apostolic succession.
Not much is known about Saint Matthias outside of the Book of Acts and the events surrounding his election to the College of Apostles. Matthias had been a disciple of Jesus from the time of his baptism by John in the Jordan to Jesus’ ascension after the resurrection. From this, we can assume that Matthias was well acquainted with the ministry of Jesus and was comfortable around the apostles. Although he was not among the original 12 apostles, we can infer that he was likely among the 120 or so extended group of disciples that traveled with Jesus. This would have made Matthias a key eye witness to many of the same events that the apostles were witness to as well, including Jesus’ teaching ministry, his passion, and most importantly his resurrection. For these reasons, Matthias made the perfect successor to an original apostle.
One lesson that we can learn from Saint Matthias is contentment. We don’t have much to go on. However, from what we know about Saint Matthias, he patiently waited his turn to serve, and was content wherever the Lord placed him. From this, we can likely assume that he was not eager to succeed Judas in the College of Apostles. This humility made him a prime candidate for apostolic succession. From this model of servant leadership, we can also learn to be content where the Lord has us in life. Our responsibility as followers of Jesus is to trust, obey, and to follow where he may lead even if this means to follow Jesus into the priesthood or to serve as a bishop. Yet no matter where the Lord calls, he supplies the strength and gifting to serve where he places us in the life of the church and in the broader world.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be guided and governed by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Taken from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Bible Reading
Acts 1:21-26 (ESV)
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 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.
Photo credit: St Matthias by Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1611
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