Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you out without a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals, did you need anything?”
“No!” they answered.
Jesus told them, “But now, if you have a moneybag, take it with you. Also take a traveling bag, and if you don't have a sword, sell some of your clothes and buy one.
Do this because the Scriptures say, ‘He was considered a criminal.’ This was written about me, and it will soon come true.”
The disciples said, “Lord, here are two swords!”
“Enough of that!” Jesus replied.
Luke 22:35-38
This is a difficult passage to understand. If you translate it into a modern cultural setting Jesus told his disciples to sell some of their clothes and buy a gun. In fact, they took two weapons with them to the garden of Gethsemane that night. One of those swords cut off the ear of the high priest's servant.
The disciples in Gethsemane were an "armed gang" and Peter even used the sword that he was carrying. Jesus explained His reason for telling them to carry a sword. He said the scriptures say he was considered a criminal. So an armed group of men would help establish that in the minds of the soldiers who came to arrest Him. The Roman soldiers did not see a peaceful group of praying men that night when they came to arrest Jesus.
It is not surprising that Peter was afraid after they left the garden. He had tried to kill the servant of the high priest. Jesus healed the severed ear which may have kept them from arresting Peter as well, but it did not stop them from seeing the disciples as dangerous men!
It is quite clear today that the battles we fight against Satan are not fought with swords and guns, but rather with the Word of God and the power of His Spirit. But the followers of Satan, like the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus see us as armed and dangerous. They will consider us to be criminals just like they did Jesus and His twelve disciples.
So how do we strike back when we are attacked by those who are walking in darkness? The secret weapon which we are authorized and encouraged to use is the same one used by Jesus two thousand years ago. Jesus struck back at those who would kill Him by allowing Himself to be crucified as a complete sacrifice for the sins of even the one who drove the nails in His hands. The weapon we use is LOVE!
"Lord, I cannot understand Your love for me, but I also cannot live without it! Lord, help me to always carry the Sword of the Spirit as I confront Satan, and may You heal the cuts of those who are wounded by Your Word! Amen."
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