In my last post, we concluded our story of Kefa in the Gospels and the beginning of the Acts of the Emissaries of Yeshua, the Messiah. Recall from the last post that we learned that they all devoted themselves single-mindedly to prayer, along with some women, including Miryam (Yeshua’s mother), and his brothers. In this post, we examine Kefa’s Calls for the Replacement of Y’hudah.
15 During this period, when the group of believers numbered about 120, Kefa stood up and addressed his fellow-believers:
16 “Brothers, the Ruach HaKodesh spoke in advance through David about Y’hudah (Judas Iscariot), and these words of the Tanakh had to be fulfilled. He was guide for those who arrested Yeshua –
17 he was one of us and had been assigned a part in our work.” 18 (With the money Y’hudah received for his evil deed, he bought a field; and there he fell to his death. His body swelled up and burst open, and all his insides spilled out. 19 This became known to everyone in Yerushalayim, so they called that field Hakal-D’ma – which in their language means “Field of Blood”). [1]
20 “Now,” said Kefa, “it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his estate become desolate, let there be no one to live in it’;
and
‘Let someone else take his place as a supervisor.’
21 Therefore, one of the men who have been with us continuously throughout the time the Lord Yeshua traveled around among us, 22 from the time Yochanan was immersing people until the day Yeshua was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” ~ Acts 1:15-22 (CJB)
The Ruach HaKodesh spoke in advance. Notice that Kefa was a student of prophecy. He said these words of the Tanakh had to be fulfilled. He was confident that prophecy would come to pass. Not only was Kefa a student of prophecy, but he believed in the divine inspiration of Scripture, saying it was the Ruach HaKodesh who spoke through David.
It is written was a typical Jewish quotation formula. Here Kefa refers to Psalm 69:25 and 109:8. Again, this is another instance that points our that Kefa knew the Tanakh.
Eyewitnesses were especially important in ancient times, as they are today, hence the need to select someone who had been with us continuously throughout the time the Lord Yeshua traveled around among us.
23 They nominated two men – Yosef Bar-Sabba, surnamed Justus, and Mattityahu. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over the work and the office of emissary that Y’hudah abandoned to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they drew lots to decide between the two, and the lot fell to Mattityahu. So, he was added to the eleven emissaries. ~ Acts 1:23-26 (CJB)
In my next post, we will examine Kefa’s First Public Sermon.
Click here for the PDF version.
[1] Yes, I know that Luke disagrees with Matthew’s account in 27:3-5, but that is beyond the scope of this blog.
My Heart is for Israel 