Acts 1:26, “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

If you’ve ever watched any sporting event, from elementary school all the way up to the pros, you have noticed a lot of people on the sidelines. Some of them get to play a little, a few maybe not at all. When you get to the college and professional level, these are people who have plenty of skills, or they wouldn’t even be on the sidelines. They were stars at their previous level, but now they sit on a bench and patiently wait for their turn.

I wonder if Matthias ever felt like that? For him to even be considered to fill the twelfth position with the apostles, he was required to have been following Jesus from the beginning. That means he had heard everything that Jesus taught. He had seen all the miracles Jesus had done. He most likely was one of the 72 followers that Jesus sent out during His ministry. Matthias must have had many stories to share about what he had seen and done while following Jesus. He was certainly a qualified and loyal follower of Jesus. But he wasn’t one of the 12 apostles until his name was drawn by casting lots, or by being voted in. Even now, most Christians seldom mention Matthias, even though he gave his life to carry the Gospel to the world.

There are probably some reading this who feel like Matthias. You feel like you’re sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the door to open. You’re in the waiting room, so to speak. You’re ready to go where Jesus sends you and do whatever He wants you to do, but Jesus says, “Wait.” Wait for the opportunity and for the time to be right.

Matthias had proven himself faithful, and now he would become part of the leading group of Christ-followers who would go out and change the world. I hope you are excited to be a part of that movement as well.