February 24, 2024 

Today's Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 15:1-21, Mark 5:21-43

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Matthew 11:27)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus chose His apostles, and it is to these He revealed Himself to. He explained parables to them, He brought three of them with Him to the Transfiguration, and those same three with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane. He instructed them, and appeared to them after His Resurrection, then tasked them with continuing to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. They knew Jesus because they witnessed His ministry, His death, and His resurrection, and in turn we know them. They were the ones that Jesus chose and are the ones which were recorded. They went and preached great sermons, endured great resistance, and even died in some instances, remarkable deaths. Yet, their significance was found only in that they knew the Son, Jesus Christ. 

After Judas’ death, the disciples needed someone to replace him. So, they chose Mathias. We don’t know much about him, other than his mention as being chosen by the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. Yet, he was one of the twelve who knew Jesus, for he had been with him. He may not have been one of the original twelve, yet this unknown Apostle would go and proclaim the Gospel to many, and he would even be martyred for confessing the Christian faith.  This mostly unknown apostle was known only in so that he walked with Jesus, and proclaimed his death, resurrection, and ascension. It was revealed to him. 

So, what can we learn from Mathias? Notoriety is not what makes a Christian. It is Christ. You do not need to be well known, you do not need to be one of the names recorded, you do not need to be popular to confess Christ among your peers. All you need to do is know Jesus for who He is, which is the Messiah, the one who was crucified, died, resurrected and ascended. The Jesus who is coming back. Even if you never achieve fame or popularity, because you know the Son, the Father will know you. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Gracious God, as you emboldened your servant Mathias to spread your Gospel even unto death, may you also give us strength and courage to do the same. Amen. 

- Pastor Caleb Weight is associate pastor of Peace In Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown, MN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.