And they cast lots for them.

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

Casting of lots was the approved method of confirming what was already chosen by God, between Joseph (Barsabbas) and Matthias. We hear more about Barsabbas, but never again anything about Matthias, leading some to speculate that his election was misguided, but there’s no hint of that in scripture. True, they were told to stay in Jerusalem and to wait, but that meant to wait to receive the Holy Spirit, not to sit and do nothing. Jesus had given them this amazing model for ministry, he as the Great Shepherd, and they as disciples who walked and talked with him and Matthias no doubt “completed the broken twelve” as one commentator suggests. Paul was later called to be an apostle, “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” An apostle is one who is sent out, and we are all called to go forth in his name!

Carry us forth in your name on the wind of your Holy Spirit, O Lord, to be as those early apostles, walking, talking and guided by you!

ESV Lectionary