Acts 1:12-22
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in this ministry." (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jeru! salem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, 'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, 'May another take his place of leadership.' Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
Thoughts for Today:
Peter was chosen by Jesus to lead -- so he led ("In those days, Peter stood up among the believers."). Pay attention to how Peter led: He went back to meeting together; back to prayer; back to Scripture; back to a focus on Jesus; and back to reflecting the pattern and example of Jesus. Quality leadership always starts with a return to basics (core values), before innovation and creativity can be applied effectively (even before problems get addressed or plans are made). Why? Because the "next step" becomes apparent when the focus is on the Lord and not the situation. Notice I didn't say solution. Peter didn't have all the problems worked out -- they must have been overwhelming. Most people look to leaders to fix all the problems. For example, what was Peter going to do about the persecution by the Jews? Form a militia? Peter didn't address that or any of a few hundred other issues. Instead he focused on fellowship and worship; praying together; studying ! Scripture to gain insight into current events (that's what we're doing right now); and looking at the pattern and example of Jesus. The net result was a clear "next step" -- and that was to fill the empty 12th apostle spot -- simple and effective leadership.
You might say, what what about all the other issues that needed to be addressed? All that other stuff didn't seem to matter much, because this decision was the only one that got recorded for us to look at two thousand years later. I would say Peter listened to the Lord, prioritized, and dealt with the right issue at the right time. The same is true for us in our own lives. Things are coming at us fast and hard -- pressing us for decisions. What do we do?
You might say, what what about all the other issues that needed to be addressed? All that other stuff didn't seem to matter much, because this decision was the only one that got recorded for us to look at two thousand years later. I would say Peter listened to the Lord, prioritized, and dealt with the right issue at the right time. The same is true for us in our own lives. Things are coming at us fast and hard -- pressing us for decisions. What do we do?
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