April 17, 2000
This article first ran in the 4/10 issue
GREAT QUESTIONS OF THE BIBLE:
"Lord, should we strike with our swords?"
Luke 22:49
___By John Tunnell,
___Pastor, First Baptist Church, Albany
___"When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, 'Lord, should we strike with our swords?'" (Luke 22:49). This is one of those bewildering places in Scripture where Jesus seems to contradict himself. Earlier in the same chapter, Jesus tries to tell his disciples they should expect radical changes in how they would be treated while trying to minister.
___In the past, Jesus had instructed them to take no money or luggage or even an extra pair of sandals when they traveled
JOHN TUNNELL
from city to city. The people would take care of their needs, but when the religious leaders unleashed their full hatred on Jesus, the disciples also would be hated.
___Jesus issued new procedures. "But now, if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag, and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." If we take this passage literally, Jesus was instructing his disciples to acquire arms and be prepared to defend themselves with deadly force. Apparently, this is what the disciples thought Jesus meant. Two of them even acknowledged possessing swords. Jesus even commented the two swords would be enough.
___Immediately after his conversation, Jesus led the disciples to the Mount of Olives, where he asked them to pray. We know the disciples were exhausted and, in fact, fell asleep.
___It is no wonder that when the contingent of soldiers arrived to arrest Jesus, Peter sprang to his defense. After all, Peter probably still was smarting from Jesus' rebuke, predicting Peter would deny his Lord within a few hours. To prove his allegiance to Jesus, Peter, perhaps in a half-daze, struck one of the men, cutting off his ear.
___ To Peter's amazement, Jesus not only did not compliment him on his fine swordsmanship, but rebuked him again and healed the enemy's ear.
___ Despite the fact Jesus stopped the disciples from defending him with force, some today use these passages to defend their position of using deadly force to protect themselves and their interests. In fact, some right-wing military survival groups who call themselves followers of Christ advocate armed resistance as Christian duty.
___ It is true that using deadly force on enemies was practiced by God's people in the Old Testament. God himself instructed his people at times to destroy every inhabitant of certain cities. King David became a national hero by "bearing his sword" against Goliath.
___ However, Jesus came announcing a new covenant. God's weapon of choice was no longer the sword but was now love and mercy. Jesus made his position clear when he said, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' but I say to you, 'Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.'" Jesus also said, "Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
___ Even if there was room for confusion in what Jesus said, there was no doubt about what he did. The Scripture tells us he had legions of warrior angels at his disposal, but he chose to endure the brutality, the scourging and the cross without so much as a verbal abuse.
___ Enough said.
Previous Columns: 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20 10/27, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1,12/15, 12/1,1/5, 1/12. 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/27, 4/3.
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