Acts 1:12-26 ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴ They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus- ¹⁷ he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” ¹⁸ (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰ “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ ²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” ²³ So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Have you ever wondered what happened to Joseph called Barsabbas, aka Justus? I have. Since he is not mentioned again in Scripture, we don’t know how he reacted to not being chosen to fill the spot left vacant by Judas. I like to think he remained a follower of Jesus and served Him in other ways. But he may have gotten upset and decided not to be a disciple at all. We don’t know.

Over the course of my ministry, I was “interviewed” by more congregations that I can remember. Only a few of them actually issued me a call. Those times I was not chosen by congregations I was in the same position as Justus. Those times when the congregation did issue me a call, I had to decide between the call I already had and the new position.

Several times I was up for election to various offices in the church at large. A few times I was elected and felt both humbled and privileged that I was able to serve Jesus through those positions – especially as Pastoral Counselor for the LWML in the Texas District and then nationally. But there were plenty of times I was not elected after being nominated. Again, I was the “Justus,” the also ran.

I remember one convention I attended where two brothers were nominated for an office. When the results were announced, the one who was not elected immediately got up and left. He did not return for the rest of the convention.

What did I do on those occasions I was not elected? Did I pout and throw a tantrum and say, “That’s it. I’m never putting myself out there again. I’m done serving Jesus!” Not hardly. At times there was disappointment, but “me and Jesus” talked about it. He let me know He had other plans for me. And I served Him in other ways.

I think that is the attitude followers of Jesus will take when they realize it is not about them. It is about Jesus. I know I am nothing but an unworthy servant. Yet God loved me enough to let Jesus take my punishment that I deserved because of my sin. He gives me forgiveness and life everlasting. I need to remember that. Always. And serve Him. Wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself.

 

I’m still trying to do that.