The Man Who Stood Ready
The Discernment: Vying for the Vacancy
Barsabbas, known by his given name Joseph, with the surname Justus, appears in Scripture at one of the most solemn moments for the early disciples: the election of an Apostle to replace the fallen Judas Iscariot. This event, chronicled in the first chapter of Acts, was conducted before the day of Pentecost and the official outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The criteria for the replacement were strict, highlighting the importance of eyewitness testimony: the man must have companied with the disciples “all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,” from the baptism of John until Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:21-22, KJV).
Two men were chosen as candidates:
“And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.” (Acts 1:23, KJV)
The Name: Justus and The Ready Man
The fact that Joseph had two secondary names, Barsabbas and Justus, tells us much about his character and standing among the original group of disciples.
- Justus (Latin): Means “the just” or “the righteous.” This indicates he was a man of proven moral integrity and upright standing in the community, reflecting the high moral standards required for apostleship.
- Barsabbas (Aramaic): Often translated as “son of the Sabbath” or “son of an oath/rest.” The most common interpretation is “son of the Father,” but in the context of the election, the name signifies a man who was spiritually qualified and set apart.
He was clearly seen as one who possessed the spiritual and historical credentials necessary for the highest office in the nascent Church.
The Resolution: The Casting of Lots
The early Church, lacking the full empowering of the Spirit that would soon come, used prayer and lots to determine the Lord’s specific choice:
“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell…” (Acts 1:24-25, KJV)
The disciples submitted their judgment (the selection of two qualified men) to God’s final decision. The lot fell upon Matthias, who was then numbered with the eleven apostles.
Barsabbas, though highly qualified and selected by the disciples as one of the two best candidates, was not chosen for the vacancy. His immediate disappearance from the narrative speaks volumes about his character. He did not cause division, create a rival faction, or complain about being overlooked. He was a man prepared to serve, and when the Lord’s will went in a different direction, he quietly stepped back, remaining faithful in his lesser-known role.
Barsabbas’s legacy is one of preparedness, humility, and submission. He was a man deemed righteous enough to stand before the Lord and be considered for the ultimate calling, yet humble enough to accept the Lord’s final, unspoken direction, serving as a powerful example of a ready servant whose ultimate loyalty was to the Divine choice, not to personal ambition.