Twelve is measure we use in every day life.  We purchase in twelves.  “Give me a dozen eggs, a dozen rolls, two dozen of this and that, please.”  We measure time based on twelve—twelve hours by day and twelve hours by night.  There are twelve months in the calendar year.  As defined; “twelve is one more than eleven.”  Twelve is an even number; easily divisible by two, three, four and six.  “Give me a half dozen, please.”  Do the math!

Twelve is also a biblical number.  On a spiritual level, the number 12 symbolizes God’s power and authority and the completeness and perfection of His creation. It also signifies God’s government on Earth, which is manifested in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles who were appointed to establish the Church. God created twelve.  Jesus multiplies in twelves—by sending people out two by two. 

Why twelve?  Twelve tribes of God’s Chosen of Israel, Twelve Disciples, and then lastly, we see in the Book of Revelation that there are 12 gates with 12 different jewels on the gates. With all these number twelves showing up, is there any meaning behind it?  Christianity.com writes:

“As shown with the 12 tribes of Israel, each of these tribes had important parts to play in history. Judah was the tribe Jesus descended from, and Paul descended from the tribe of Benjamin.  n the same way, the 12 disciples of Christ could be another imagery of the 12 tribes of Israel. While we cannot be dogmatic to say each disciple came from a different tribe of Israel because the likelihood of this is low, we can say that the number 12 was reflective of bringing God’s kingdom into the picture.

Each of the 12 disciples left their homes, livelihoods, and families to follow Jesus. They were dedicated to following Jesus to learn all they could from Him. It is also important to remember the 12 gates as recorded in the Book of Revelation, which could also connect back to the 12 disciples.  While we do not need to be quick to say 12 is the perfect number or a special number, we can see it does symbolize God’s coming kingdom.” 

MORE FUN FACTS:  Remember reading about the woman who had a bleeding problem for 12 years?  Jesue healed her on the way to bringing a 12-year-old back to life from an illness that caused death!  God, through Jesus used symbolic stories to tell of His coming Kingdom, could this be yet another way to foretell of what lies ahead?

And, we can’t overlook what Luke said about Jesus as a child.  Normally the gospel writers wouldn’t include direct ages, yet in this instance, Luke records that Jesus was 12 when He went to the temple (Luke 2:41-52). Mm.

During Jesus’ adult earthly ministry, He performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Out of a loaf of bread and a few fish, Jesus fed five thousand people. This miracle alone attested to Jesus’ divinity and power with twelve baskets leftover, one for each disciple!

God multiplies the Good News through the Twelve Disciples.  When Judas decided to go his own way and leave the Twelve to betray Jesus, they needed one more to be Twelve again. Peter, now being led by the Holy Spirit, has a plan and asks God to decide.  We see the growth of Peter begin to emerge as the Rock upon whom Jesus will build His church! 

And then there were Twelve…(To those of us “ducks in a row” people who seek perfection and order, we breathe in a sigh of completeness and peace.)

Acts 1, The Message

Replacing Judas

^15-17 During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, “Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry.

^18-20 “As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. It’s exactly what we find written in the Psalms:

‘Let his farm become haunted
So no one can ever live there.’

And also what was written later:  ‘Let someone else take over his post.’

^21-22 “Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection.”

^23-26 They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way.” They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

WARNING: 

We must not dwell on the number twelve as something to believe in such as numerology.  In no way is the number 12 in the Bible used in connection with numerology. Numerology is an anti-biblical practice that believers need to stay away from. There is nothing true about numerology, nor is it going to help you in any way. The number 12, as shown in the Bible, was decided by God’s own divine decision. You may be interested in knowing the deeper meaning behind the number 12 in the Bible but don’t become obsessed with it. Worship God alone!  God holds all power in heaven and on earth!

THE GREATER LESSON:  The first of many ACTS of the apostles.

Peter, now led by God’s Holy Spirit, takes action to replace Judas who “went his own way” to betray Jesus and then hung himself.  There are eleven—one less than Twelve.

Observe how Peter is becoming more and more like Jesus!  Peter was a “born leader,” no doubt, but his leadership skills had to be daily molded, shaped, honed and polished to reflect the image of the One who saved him!  Peter, now in obedience to God, shaped by the beautiful hands of Jesus is now more helpful, not hurtful, to building God’s Kingdom—His church.

Are we becoming more and more like Christ? 

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

Peter’s first act of leadership, in Jesus Name, was to stand and remind the group of previous scripture that foretold their current predicament of loss.  He then brought the group into agreement with how to choose a replacement with a plan!  Most churches still use this method today! 

The method:

• Pray for God’s leading.
• Consider and nominate an experienced person who knows Jesus and is a witness to God’s glory in their lives and in the lives of others.
• Cast a vote.
• Pray for God’s choosing.  

Notice that prayer bookends the action—so like Jesus!

Lord,

Thank you for leading us to learn and grow in knowledge of You! Thank you for loving us with patience and guidance as we live for you.  Thank you for forgiving us when we “go our own way.”  Thank you for molding and shaping us as we give all ourselves to you.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds to match yours, refresh our souls with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy and peace of you in us and us in you who believe.  We want to be more like You, dear Jesus.

In Jesus Name, Amen