The Twelfth Disciple

In Proverb 3:5, it tells us not to lean to our own understanding. In other words, do not jump ahead of the Holy Spirit. Let God direct our path and order our steps in all we do. Only He knows the entire plan. We only know our plan.

In Acts 1:15, even before the Holy Spirit came upon them, Peter addressed the remaining eleven disciples compelled to elect by lot a replacement for Judas who had betrayed Jesus. They knew that scripture said this would happen, so they made it so.

They used their best judgment and decided on two possibilities, Barsabbas and Matthias. Both had been with Jesus during His time on earth although not part of the inner circle of twelve. The disciples drew lots to pick Matthias.

As we read this, it seems logical to us. We would probably think the same way. However, as we think back over the gospels, we might remember that Jesus never did things to fulfill scripture. He did things that fulfilled scripture. He did not get ahead of the Holy Spirit.

I believe the disciples were leaning to their own understanding, anxious to fulfill scripture. We never again hear about Matthias in the remaining books.

God had another plan and it happened on the road to Demascus. He picked Saul as number twelve. And so Paul became the fulfillment of scripture. He became the twelfth disciple.

We must be careful not to lean to our own understanding and wait for God to direct our steps instead of deciding what God wants us to do.

Therefore, jumping ahead of God by leaning on our past experience or the teachings from where came from can be leading us right out from under the divine protection He has placed over our lives. Listening to the Holy Spirit is a discipline we all must learn. When this is our lifestyle we will not leap before our time.