I can dispose of what Scripture reveals about Matthias in less time than even Thomas and Titus. It's all in that pericope from Acts 1, which only mentions his name twice. Early Christian writers variously identified Matthias as one Tolmai (father of Bartholomew?), Zacchaeus (the wee little man from Jericho, Luke 19), Barnabas (who accompanied Paul on his early travels, Acts 4-15), and that Nathanael who came and went from the company of disciples in John 1 and 21. Traditions about where Matthias went and what he did as an apostle are equally contradictory, mentioning such far-flung mission fields as Ethiopia and modern-day Turkey and Georgia and alternately claiming he was stoned and beheaded or that he died of old age in Jerusalem.
The procedure of casting lots for a decision (like, "Justus Joseph-a.k.a.-Barsabas or Matthias?") is interesting and brings to mind two charming stories. One is how my dad recently decided whether to accept or return a call to serve as pastor in a dual parish in Montana. He put multiple copies of the numbers 1, 2 and 3 in a hat – 1 meaning "no," 2 "yes" and 3 "draw again" – and drew pieces until he had an answer. A 2 fell on the floor and was put back in the hat. After praying for God's guidance, he then drew a 3, threw that slip away and drew again – a 2. Well, he's in Montana now.
The other story comes from my vicarage, where my supervising pastor opened a voters' meeting with a devotion based on this Acts 1 lesson. He then waxed poetic about how it might be for the church to make choices by lot rather than a popular vote. Someone raised his hand and said, "But Pastor, then we wouldn't be in control," and the pastor shot back, "Exactly!"
According to Apostle Peter (speaking in Acts 1), both Matthias and Justus Joseph were among the disciples who had accompanied the apostles throught Jesus' ministry, from the time of His baptism by John until His ascension. He was required, Peter says, to complete the complement of witnesses to Jesus' resurrection. Oddly, Luke (author of the book of Acts) concludes that Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles, which kind of sounds like their attempt to restore the twelve didn't quite take. Perhaps it could be argued that the 12th spot really went to Paul. But one has to respect the concept of prayerfully leaving the choice up to God via a lottery-type drawing. Like the guy said, we're not in control! And God calls whom He will!
So ... how does one write a Christ-centered hymn about this mess? Well, let's try this:
To God, whose throne is heaven,
Whose footstool is the land,
What temple can be given
But what He shaped by hand?
The poor and contrite heart
That trembles at God's roaring,
That cries out for restoring—
Thereon rests God's regard.
Christ from the wise and prudent
His holy secret hides,
And yet the infant student
Thereto He gladly guides.
Christ—meekest, gentlest, best—
To those both sorely harried
And who His light yoke carried
Has pledged eternal rest.
Let those by God elected
Trust, and in no wise doubt,
That they will be perfected
And greet Him with a shout.
Our lot with Him is cast;
And as He chose Matthias,
He will do justice by us
And call us home at last.
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