Matthias: A Story of Faith

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Matthias is a great example of someone who stayed faithful and waited for God’s plan. We read about him in the book of Acts in the New Testament. After Judas Iscariot left the group of Jesus’ disciples, the followers needed someone to take his place. One important rule was that the person had to be with Jesus from the time of John the Baptist and had to see Jesus after He rose from the dead. Matthias was one of the few who qualified.

Matthias didn’t try to become an apostle on his own. He simply followed Jesus, listened to His teachings, and helped the other believers. He stayed faithful. When the time came, he was ready for the job God had prepared for him. After he received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Matthias went to preach the good news in Judea and Colchis. In 64 AD, people in Jerusalem stoned him. Afterward, he was beheaded by some of the Jews who wanted to hide what they had done.

Matthias’s life teaches us to always follow God’s direction, even if we feel like no one notices. God sees everything and uses our work for His greater plan. Just like Matthias, we are all called to serve in different ways, and each role is important to God.

His story also shows that God’s timing is always right. Even though Matthias wasn’t famous before becoming an apostle, God had been preparing him all along. In the same way, God might be preparing you and me for something important. We just need to stay faithful and trust Him while we wait.

Matthias’s life reminds us to accept God’s special plan for us. Whether our work is big or small, in front of others or behind the scenes, we should serve God with a faithful heart, knowing our obedience helps His work and brings glory to His name. Amen.

Good Friday: The 7 Last Words of Jesus

Good Friday is the day we remember the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. On this day, Jesus spoke 7 important sentences while hanging on the cross. These are called “The 7 Last Words of Jesus.” Each one teaches us something special about love, forgiveness, and faith.

 

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

📖 Luke 23:34

Meaning:
Jesus prayed for the people who were hurting Him. He asked His Father to forgive them. This shows how much Jesus loves and forgives, even when people do wrong.

Lesson:
We should also forgive others, just like Jesus did.


2. “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

📖 Luke 23:43

Meaning:
Jesus said this to the thief who believed in Him while dying. Jesus promised him a place in heaven.

Lesson:
If we believe in Jesus, we will be with Him in heaven too.


3. “Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother.”

📖 John 19:26–27

Meaning:
Jesus told His disciple John to take care of His mother, Mary. Even while suffering, Jesus cared for His family.

Lesson:
Take care of your parents and family with love.


4. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

📖 Matthew 27:46

Meaning:
Jesus felt very alone and in great pain. He cried out to God. He was carrying the sins of the world.

Lesson:
Even when we feel alone, we can call out to God. He listens to us.


5. “I thirst.”

📖 John 19:28

Meaning:
Jesus said this because He was physically thirsty. But it also shows He longed to finish His mission and save us.

Lesson:
Jesus suffered fully as a human to save us.


6. “It is finished.”

📖 John 19:30

Meaning:
Jesus completed His work on earth. He paid the price for our sins. His mission of saving the world was finished.

Lesson:
Jesus gave His life for us. We are saved by His love.


7. “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

📖 Luke 23:46

Meaning:
Jesus gave His spirit back to His Father in heaven. He trusted God fully, even in death.

Lesson:
We should also trust God with our lives.


Final Thought

Good Friday reminds us how much Jesus loves us. He forgave, He cared, He suffered, and He saved us. Let us remember His 7 Last Words and live with love, faith, and forgiveness every day.


Short Prayer:
My Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for me. Help me to love like Him, forgive like Him, and live for You every day.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.