And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:23-26)

Joseph Was Not Chosen

After the resurrection of Jesus, the Lord spent forty days with the disciples teaching and instructing them concerning the kingdom of God. Jesus told the eleven to remain in Jerusalem, where they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days later. The Lord ascended back to His Father, and the eleven returned to Jerusalem. Sometime in the next few days, Peter stood in the midst of the disciples showing the prophecy from David that one should take the place of Judas. The qualification required to take the place of Judas was that the man had to have accompanied the eleven all the time that Jesus went in and out among the disciples beginning from the baptism of John. Whoever was to be chosen must have been with the disciples up until the ascension of Jesus to the Father as a witness of the resurrection.

Two names were put before the brethren. The first was Joseph called Barsabas. His surname was Justus. A second disciple was put forth named Matthias. After praying and casting lots, the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Matthias joined the apostles as one to take the gospel to the world. He was there at Pentecost when the baptism of the Holy Spirit came upon him. Luke does not mention Matthias by name, but whenever the apostles are gathered together, Matthias is with them. During the early days of the church, Matthias was among the men arrested by the Jews for preaching Jesus.

Matthias was present when the apostles laid hands on the seven to carry out the work of the church to care for the widows. When Barnabas brought Saul to Jerusalem after his conversion, the church was afraid of the former persecutor. Barnabas brought Saul to Matthias and the eleven to tell the story of his conversion. After Herod killed James, the brother of John, the original apostles were only eleven. Matthias helped to decide the question of circumcision that false teachers had claimed was necessary for salvation. It was clear the choice of Matthias complemented the work of the early disciples and the growth of the church.

Joseph called Barsabas was not chosen when the lot was cast for someone to take the place of Judas. He was qualified to fill the role of an apostle and desired to do the work. None of the twelve understood the complexity of how their lives would change over the next few years. That did not matter to Joseph. He was willing that his name be put forth to serve in whatever way the Lord needed him. The lot fell on Matthias. Luke records nothing of Joseph. In the absence of information, it would seem Joseph was unfazed by his not being chosen and continued to do the work of the Lord. He had spent the past few years following Jesus, seeing His miracles, listening to His preaching, and seeing how the Jews fought the Lord. After Jesus rose from the dead, Joseph spent time with Jesus. He would become among the many who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. His testimony would herald the gospel of Christ to the world.

Joseph was not chosen to be numbered with the eleven, but he knew he was numbered with the saints. His work was not to the glory of what the apostles lived. He lived for the glory of God, no matter how he served the Lord. It is hard sometimes when decisions are made that may exclude one from a desired role. There is much work to be done in many parts of the kingdom. Not every man can serve as a bishop of the church, a preacher, song leader, or teacher, but there is much work to be done in teaching. There is much work to be done by the women of the church, even when limited in the leadership roles. Luke does not reveal why God chose Matthias over Joseph, but the choice was right. It is easy to assume Joseph took the choice by grace and lived his life for the glory of God. The one God did not choose to serve with the eleven He wanted to serve in the church. There is work for everyone, chosen or not.