It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about a church community, a healthcare clinic, a school or a family-run-business. Who you choose to higher as senior staff matters. Pick the wrong candidate and there can be some serious repercussions. Most likely it will cost you some revenue. And, if you’re in healthcare, it can even cost lives. People can literally die if the wrong person is hired.

So, with all that in mind, let’s talk about Judas Iscariot. One could say the worst hiring decision in all of history. First, he routinely embezzled company funds. Second, he was a key player in a successful plot to murder the son of the C.E.O! Can you imagine a more disastrous outcome?

Which, of course, raises the question: Did Jesus know what he was doing when he chose Judas to be an apostle? This is the question we'll be exploring in today's sermon.

Acts 1:15-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scriptures had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership’ ”

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 Barsabas (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.” 26 Then they cast its, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.