The Replacement
With Judas no longer in the picture, it was time to think about replacing him.
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms, "Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and "Let another take his position of overseer.' So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, " Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. - Acts 1:15-26
Peter's first act as leader in Jesus' absence was to bring the number of apostles back to twelve, replacing Judas who was no longer in the picture.
No one took Jesus's place. That position still belonged to Jesus, who remained the head of the ministry and the church.
Twelve was symbolic. It represented the twelve tribes. But there must have been more significance than that in the number.
Judas was said to be the treasurer, or the keeper of the group purse, so perhaps they needed someone who could take on that role, and maybe none of them were good with money, or as trustworthy.
Remember, one had been a tax collector, so he had his experience with money. Maybe the plan was different.
Each would follow a different path, reaching a different clientele, spreading the word and healing far and wide, seeking, possibly, to follow in the footsteps of the twelve tribes.
What is clear is that they all agreed they needed another to join them, and so they chose from the two best candidates, Barsabbas and Matthias.
Sometimes the one not chosen goes on to do some amazing things on his own, and such was the case with Justus Barsabbas who became Bishop of Eleutheropolis, a city in Syria, and was martyred for his faith.
Maybe the decision to stay with twelve apostles was simply to keep the structure Jesus created, out of respect, love, and familiarity.
It was how they were, and the decision has significance in that regard.
Deciding to regroup meant they were committed to continue, and that is the most important thing.
More to come...