《使徒行傳的NPC》Day 02
替補接棒的NPC
21 「所以，主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候， 22 就是從約翰施洗起，直到主離開我們被接上升的日子為止，必須從那常與我們作伴的人中立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。」 23 於是選舉兩個人，就是那叫做巴撒巴，又稱呼猶士都的約瑟，和馬提亞。 24-25 眾人就禱告說：「主啊，祢知道萬人的心，求祢從這兩個人中，指明祢所揀選的是誰，叫他得這使徒的位分。這位分猶大已經丟棄，往自己的地方去了。」 26 於是眾人為他們搖籤，搖出馬提亞來；他就和十一個使徒同列。(使徒行傳一21-26)
1 我這作長老、作基督受苦的見證、同享後來所要顯現之榮耀的，勸你們中間與我同作長老的人：2 務要牧養在你們中間上帝的群羊，按著上帝旨意照管他們；不是出於勉強，乃是出於甘心；也不是因為貪財，乃是出於樂意；3 也不是轄制所託付你們的，乃是作群羊的榜樣。4 到了牧長顯現的時候，你們必得那永不衰殘的榮耀冠冕。(彼得前書五1-4)
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (Act 1:21-26)
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
分享：各位好，今天要分享的NPC承接之前的《門徒系列》，就是被選出來替補賣主猶太位份的馬提亞。(有人形容他是第十三門徒)
聖經中關於馬提亞的資料不多，他沒有在福音書中出現過，在往後使徒東奔西跑的記述裡也不見他的身影。我們僅能夠知道的是，他從約翰施洗時期已經一直與門徒在一起 (Ref. V.22)。此外，再沒有太多補充資料。馬提亞就是這樣名不經傳的小人物 (另一位候選人巴撒巴也是一樣)。因此，曾有人質疑是次補選是否合神心意、有沒有足夠的公信力。
然而，名氣並非作門徒的必須；相反，更重要的是堅持及委身的態度。兩位候選人一直跟隨著主耶穌，這正是他們擁有的「資格」。另外，彼得也曾寫下作為教會領袖的重要特質，包括：「按上帝旨意教導人」、「出於甘心樂意」、「作好榜樣」、「堅持到主再來」等。(參彼得前書五1-4) 筆者相信彼得等人考慮門徒候選人時，也必定以此等條件作為準則，而不是看其名氣或其他屬世的標準⋯⋯
蘋果公司 (Apple) 的CEO Tim Cook表示，名氣大學學歷不再是唯一「品質保證」，所以蘋果2018年聘用的員工，有將近一半是沒念過大學的。商業網站《Business Insider》指出，與蘋果類似，Google、Netflix等科技業者更在乎求職者的能力是否符合工作要求。
各位，上帝看重人的內心及生命素質，而不是一些外在、屬世的因素 (e.g. 名氣、學識⋯⋯) 馬提亞的堅持及委身，正是門徒應有的特質，也是今天我們應當看重的事！
反思：我們今天的堅持與委身程度如何？
禱告：親愛的天父，多謝祢透過馬提亞的堅持與委身提醒我們，今天我們也要活出這樣的見證。當世界高舉名氣、金錢、地位等屬世事情時，但願我們看重屬天的教導，專心一意、堅定不移、甘心樂意地跟從祢、追求祢、見證祢！以上禱告，奉主耶穌得勝的名求，阿們。
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