Saturday, May 26, 2007
Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs."
THE LORD CHOOSES
Jesus' public ministers don't become such by accident. They don't even become ministers by completing a particular course of schooling. They become ministers when Jesus places them into the ministry. Here, the Lord showed the apostles that He wanted Matthias to replace Judas. By His hand it was determined who would serve.
When a congregation asks a pastor, teacher, Sunday School teacher, or any other public servant of the word to minister on their behalf, it is not only the congregation asking, but it is the Lord Jesus asking through them. If a person accepts such a call, it can be certain that the Lord of the Church Himself has placed the minister where He wants him to be at that particular time.
Jesus ascended into heaven to be Head over all things for His Church. Thus He blesses His believers on earth by providing ministers of His word even as Paul wrote to the Ephesians (4:11-12): "It was he [Jesus] who have some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
Thou who the night in prayer didst spend
And then didst Thine apostles send
And bidd'st us pray the harvest's Lord
To send forth sowers of Thy Word,
Hear and Thy chosen servants bless
With sev'nfold gifts of holiness.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 493:1)
