By Richard Vinson
Well, if you haven’t already read the Scripture passage, be forewarned that verse 18 is pretty gruesome. If you read it, and say to yourself, “But I thought Judas hanged himself,” you can find that story in Matthew 27:3-10.
The early church kept these two accounts of Judas’ death, and plenty of references like “Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him,” but no reflections on what it was like for that tiny group to deal with the emotional effects of what he did.
According to verses 14-15, the group that held together after Jesus’ death and resurrection was pretty small: only 120 people, including the 11 apostles, Jesus’ family, and men and women who had been with Jesus since his ministry began in Galilee. As Peter says, “[Judas] was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
Somebody had been paired with him when the disciples went out two-by-two to heal and to announce the kingdom’s approach. They had shared meals, shared the road, shared rough accommodations, and shared in their devotion to Jesus. How on earth could one of us have done such a terrible thing? Can you imagine the anger, the grief, the heartache?
Sadly, yes, many of us can, having been through some kind of betrayal. What gets us through the pain? What keeps us from giving up?
For these early believers, it was their sense of mission. Peter reminds them that there is work to be done, and that someone would need to step up and take over Judas’ spot. So they pray, they ask the Lord to choose the right person for the job, they make the choice, and they move on.
Emotionally, that can’t be the whole story for everyone, but for Luke, those are the parts that matter most. The believers knew they had to close the wound, and they asked for God to help them, for the sake of the grand task God had given them.
- What has helped you move past grief or betrayal? How does it help to be a part of a community of faith?
- Early believers sometimes used “casting lots” as a way to leave the decision to God. Reflect on how you make significant decisions. How do you try to learn where God might be leading you?
- What other details did you notice in today’s reading?
Prayer: O Lord, your love heals our wounds and teaches us how not to wound others. Give us the strength to forgive and the courage to face our need of forgiveness. Amen.
