“What happens if you leave? Where will we get another pastor?” New members frequently ask that question when their pastor receives a call. Imagine what went through the minds of the 120 Christians when they contemplated the empty seat left by the death of Judas! Who will replace him? How do we replace him? The fledgling church learned that their ascended Lord had not abandoned them. They trusted that he would give some to be apostles and prophets, pastors and teachers. God provided the replacement: St. Matthias.

Read Acts 1:15-17,21-26

¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶and 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—¹⁷he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” . . .
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, ²²beginning 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.”
²³So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Digging into the verses