How did the apostles decide who would replace Judas? Scripture tells us that they needed to restore their number to twelve. We know the outcome, but other than casting lots between the two finalists, it doesn’t tell us much about the process.

What if there had been interviews for the job?

Imagine the apostles in a borrowed upper room somewhere in Jerusalem. The shutters are closed despite the heat because advertising the location of Jesus’ followers would be very unwise. Their Teacher had recently been crucified by Rome, and while the Resurrection was wonderful news to them, it had done very little to improve relations with the authorities.

Outside, merchants call out prices for figs and dates. Cart wheels rattle over uneven stones, donkeys complain loudly, and somewhere in the distance, a child is crying. Jerusalem carries on as though nothing extraordinary has happened.

Peter is seated at the head of a long wooden table with James and John on either side. The rest of the apostles are gathered around, and Matthew is ready with pen and parchment to record the events of the day.

Simon the Zealot, who is carefully guarding the door, lets in the first applicant. A young man eagerly bounds across the floor and nearly leaps into the chair.

Peter smiles and says,

“Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Apostle position. Tell us a little about yourself.”

He beams, raises up both hands to the ceiling, and proclaims in a grand voice,

“I love the teachings of Jesus! I’ve heard you preach in the streets, and everything you say is great. I want to be part of this new movement, part of the Kingdom of God scene. I know it will change the world!”

The apostles murmur amongst themselves and nod approvingly.

“Wonderful,” says John. “Which of His teachings do you find the most inspirational?”

“I heard that Jesus loves us all and our sins will be forgiven. I find it all very revolutionary, just what my generation needs. I can ask, and it will be given.”

Peter elbows James and says under his breath, “Remember when you two, the Sons of Thunder, asked for seats next to Jesus in Heaven? How did that go?” Peter laughs, and John and James shoot him a dark look.

The young man continues, “I love this new and unique idea of peace through love and the glory of eternal life.”

In an earnest voice, Andrew says,

“You’ll have to leave your home and belongings.”

“Great! I was hoping for a job that would let me travel and see the world. I want to transform society. People will listen to me! If I get the job, will I be given the power to do miracles? That would be cool. I could heal people.”

John leans over the table and asks,

“Why do you start every sentence with I?”

The young man tilts his head in confusion and Thomas speaks up,

“In this job, you will suffer from hunger and heat, thirst and cold. You will grow tired and discouraged. You will lose all your friends. You will be insulted, mocked, savagely beaten, and thrown in prison.”

A slightly concerned look crosses the young applicant’s face, but he perks up and says,

“I know God will protect me from any suffering. I’m a child of God!”

“You will most likely die in a painful way, spreading the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus, and nobody will remember your name. Ever,” says Thomas flatly. The young man blanches, and Thomas continues, “You must understand the seriousness of the position.”

After a long, uncomfortable silence, Simon the Zealot says,

“There is a man outside who plans to overthrow Rome, and he is hiring someone to carry the banner. You wouldn’t have to go into battle.”

“I love it!” exclaims the young man, “it sounds right up my alley.”

***********

“Next!”

After nodding politely to Simon, a man dressed in a deep red-dyed silk tunic with new leather sandals carefully settles into the chair.

The apostles all look slightly suspicious. Mary Magdalene leans over and asks Matthew if he looks familiar. Peter squares his shoulders and starts the interview.

“Welcome. What makes you want to be an apostle?”

The man smiles warmly.

“I want to spread the Word of God and glorify Him.”

James nods and says,

“Tell us a little about yourself.”

“I’m a successful merchant. I am trained in business practices and leadership and have amassed a certain wealth that you may find interesting.”

Matthew says,

“Well, we won’t hold that against you.”

The merchant laughs and asks about the job requirements and duties.

Peter tells him,

“First, you’ll need to sell everything you own.”

The merchant blinks, then narrows his eyes as if gauging whether Peter is serious.

“Everything? Including my savings, investments, houses, properties, and horses? You must be joking.”

“Yes, everything, and the money must go to the poor.”

The candidate’s smile fades, and he shifts uncomfortably in his chair.

“What if I sell just a portion now? The rest I will put in an account where it will gain interest, and when it reaches financial maturity, I can decide the best options based on current market value.”

“No, you will need to give every penny on the first day on the job.”

“Young man, I need to keep some for my retirement. I have earned it and wish to finish out my days without worry.”

The apostles look at one another, and Peter says,

“As an apostle, it’s doubtful that you are going to grow old comfortably. Or at all.”

The merchant looks slightly confused, composes himself and continues,

“Please understand that I’ve worked very hard for everything I own. And fairly, I have never cheated anyone. And you are asking me to give it away to people who don’t work? They don’t deserve free handouts. You are just enabling them.”

After a long moment of contemplation, the merchant nods and says,

“There is a solution to your problem. I would be willing to fund an Apostles Outreach Initiative to train the poor and unemployed to become contributing members of society. Once gainfully employed, they will have the means to pay back the money, which can then be reinvested to help others.”

Matthew shakes his head, and the apostles fix the candidate with a steady gaze. Finally, the merchant stands and politely states, “I don’t think this position is for me.”

As the door closes, Matthew says sadly,

“That man is ill. He is suffering from Mammon Disease. There are people who recover, but often it’s fatal.”

***********

Simon the Zealot escorts the the next applicant to the chair. His tunic looks freshly pressed and he is wearing an impressive array of prayer beads.

John smiles and says,

“Tell us about yourself.”

The man puffs out his chest slightly.

“Sunset Friday to sunset Saturday is reserved for God. My family and I attend synagogue every Sabbath. My wife prepares the Sabbath table, and I lead the prayers.” After a pause, he continues. “My children have been raised accordingly.” He gives them a small closed-lip smile.  

Peter says, “Ok, what do you do on the other days of the week?”

“I am a respected landowner. I have thirty men who work for me in the wheat fields, twenty-five in the barley, and twenty in the olive groves. I pay the ones who have been loyal to me a denari a day, which is a fair wage.” He looks around as if to see if anyone would dare oppose him.

“Last week, I purchased a parcel of land at a very economical price as the man was in serious debt. A few years ago, he tried to cheat me on a business deal, and this was an opportunity to teach him a lesson. God does not like cheaters or sinners.”

“Wanna bet?” mutters Peter under his breath.

The man gives another smug smile and continues,  

“Acquiring additional land is a good thing. Now I can plant more wheat, which means I can hire more workers, helping the overall economy. I’d start them off at only a denari a week, which would motivate them to work harder. If they are efficient and meet deadlines, they could work their way up.”

James turns to John and says, “Work their way up to what?” John shrugs his shoulders.

The candidate continues, “As we all know, idleness leads to sin. I’m doing them a favor, helping them get to heaven. Did I mention that I tithe ten percent of my profit to the synagogue? In addition, once a month, I invite admirable men to my home to discuss God’s word and offer suggestions on how best to follow the teachings.”

“Are your workers or servants ever invited to participate in those discussions?” asks Andrew.

The man looks surprised then says coolly,

“They are hired for the harvest and to upkeep the house. I pay them fairly, and I do not see what that has to do with anything. Frankly, it wouldn’t be appropriate. They know their place.” After a long pause, the applicant continues with a hint of impatience, “Well? I believe I meet all the qualifications. Actually, all my friends said I am overqualified, which is why they thought I should take the time to see you. I’m willing to help you organize your little project into something respectable for Israel and God.”

Andrew rolls his eyes, James puts his hand on Peter’s shoulder to prevent him from climbing over the table to choke the candidate, and Simon the Zealot says,

“I think the Pharisees over in the temple are looking for volunteers. Go check with them.”

***********

After another ten interviews, the apostles are starting to get tired, cranky, and hungry.

“This is exhausting”, says Andrew, flopping down on the bench and reaching for some bread.

Nathanael says, “That one guy who said he wanted to get paid five denari for every soul he converted. That was funny.”

“And the one that said he liked Jesus as a concept, but not so much as a person.”

They all laugh, and Thomas says, “What about the other who said forgiveness was for the weak of heart?”

“Or the one who said Gentiles and women are not important in the eyes of God,” says Mary Magdalene in a soft voice.

John says quietly, “Mary, we know He loved you deeply. You’re a woman ahead of your time, that’s all.”

Peter, pacing the room in frustration, finally sits down and says, “We’ll never fill the position. There are no qualified candidates.”

Outside, a rooster crows three times, and all eyes turn to look at Peter.

“Okay, okay,” he mutters. “Nobody’s perfect.”

A soft knock on the door interrupts their conversation. Simon opens it, and the man crosses the room to sit in the chair.

Peter barely looks up and mutters,

“Why do you want to be an apostle?”

The man looks down at his torn, dusty sandals. Peter continues with a touch of impatience,

“Do you have any qualifications? Can you read, write, or preach? What can you offer?”

After a moment, the man says,

“No, I can’t do any of those things, and I have nothing to offer.”

“Then why are you here?” asks Peter testily.

The candidate replies in a voice barely above a whisper, “The only thing I know is that I love Jesus with all my heart and the only thing I can do is to follow Him for the rest of my life, no matter what the cost. I love Him. Where else would I go?”

Mary Magdalene whispers, “John, give him a piece of bread.”

Before taking the bread, the candidate asks, “Have you all eaten? Are you sure there is enough for everyone?”

John hands him some bread and a mug of wine. James claps him on the back, and Peter says with a smile,

“Nice to have you on board, Matthias. Let’s get to work.”

************

Of course, these are purely fictional scenarios, but if we are honest and remove the plank from our eye, we may see glimpses of ourselves in each applicant. Most of us try to fit Jesus into our own agendas, not the other way around. We like to choose which teachings we adopt and which we discard because they are too inconvenient or difficult.

We enjoy sermons on grace, but become less enthusiastic when the conversation turns to forgiveness. We love hearing that God has a wonderful purpose for our lives, but we grow uncomfortable when Jesus starts talking about sacrifice, humility, giving our possessions to the poor, or loving people who make our lives miserable.

So, we attend church, listen to sermons, post Bible verses, and occasionally share inspirational quotes online, yet many of us reserve the right to overrule God whenever His commands interfere with our preferences. We call Jesus “Our Lord” while behaving more like business owners who have hired Him as a consultant to confirm and possibly improve our existing plans.

We want to follow Christ, but we’d prefer to keep control of our schedules, ambitions, money, grudges, comforts, and carefully constructed plans for the future. We don’t slam the door and reject Him outright. Instead, we politely ask whether the terms are negotiable.

The apostles were far from perfect. They weren’t before Jesus called them, and they weren’t after either. They made many mistakes and bickered among themselves, but in the end, they understood that following Jesus meant letting go of their own agendas and preferences. And the one qualification that matters the most? Love.

If the position for the twelfth apostle were open, knowing what was at stake, would you apply?