The Horror of Failure, the Beauty of Grace

The story of Acts takes us into an upper room in Jerusalem where 120 people gathered to wait for the promise, just as Jesus told them to do. The Apostles are in the room, each of whom failed and fled on the night of Jesus' crucifixion, including Peter. Also in attendance are a group of women, many who had demons, and Jesus' brothers who rejected Him during his ministry. This small band of people were shortly going to be filled with power and change the world. But one person was conspicuously absent---Judas. His death is vividly described and his end was brutal. Yet, the difference between Judas and the people who are in the room is not so much in the level of their failure; rather it was Judas' response to his sinfulness and the evil of bearing the guilt of sin alone that led to his demise. So now Judas needed to be replaced so that the apostolic band would once again have integrity. Another sinner in need of grace is added and the team is ready for game day.