Today's passage: Luke 22
Today's focus: vs. 36-38
The scene of the Last Supper always intrigues me. I can only have a glimpse of how Jesus must have felt interacting with his disciples for the last time (not counting after the resurrection). He “eagerly desired to eat this Passover with [them] before [he] suffer[s]” (Lk. 22:14, NIV). Jesus is solemn, purposeful, and sorrowful. It must be disheartening for the disciples to argue about which of them was considered to be greatest. Patiently, Jesus told them they were not like the world. He turned to Peter to encourage him and that he has been praying for him to remain faithful and to strengthen his brothers (v. 32).
After speaking to Peter, Jesus turned toward the others to foretell a different time was coming. When Jesus was with them, they did not need preparation--provisions provided and met with receptive ears (p. 760). The time is coming that they will be hated and, in effect, “if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one” (v. 36). This verse confuses me. Is Jesus really telling his disciples to prepare for battle? We know a cloak is valuable (Mt. 5:40). When they said they got two swords, Jesus seemed angry, “That’s enough!” (v. 38). We get this tone from the Greek expression. Perhaps, the Message says it clearly, “Enough of that; no more sword talk!” Why did Jesus get mad after telling them to sell their cloaks and buy swords? We know the disciples are also confused at later verses for asking whether they should use the swords against the soldiers who “come with swords and clubs,” and Jesus rebuked them, “No more of this!” (v. 51). From this verse and especially Mt. 26:52-53 and 2 Cor. 10:4, we can deduce the swords were not meant to be used for His defense, and the weapons of their warfare were not physical, as Ellicott’s Commentary states. How are we, as Christian today, you and me, to make sense of all this (Jesus warns of a more dangerous time where we must prepare and people will no longer have receptive ears, and yet we’re not allowed to bring weapons)?
We know from the Apostle Peter’s life, he has turned from deserting and denying Jesus (Mt. 26:34, 56) to preaching boldly at Jerusalem (starting Acts 2:14) and at the temple (Acts 3:8). What caused such a drastic change in Peter’s life? Is there anything we can learn from Peter to obtain that boldness for Jesus? I look at our world today. I look at my life and my children’s life. Is there any hope for my family to remain in the faith and not be influenced by the world (1 Jn. 2:16)? Two things stood out to me: the resurrection event and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Peter and the rest of his friends are witnesses of the resurrection (Acts 2:32). The key here is he has witnessed the risen Jesus! He has seen Jesus defeat death; the agony of death can no longer hold Jesus and also to him (Acts 2:24)! And getting back to the question earlier, “Is Jesus really telling his disciples to prepare for battle?” Yes, he is! It is not the physical battle they initially thought they needed to fight with swords but rather be armed by his Word and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 21:15).
To be as bold as Peter, we must first believe the resurrection is an actual historical event. I’m starting to learn that there are many pieces of evidence to support this, which can be explored outside of here. Second, we must ask and wait for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom for service (Acts 1:8). Even if for these two things alone, we should have the confidence to lead our family, serve our church, face the world and be a witness for Christ. However, above all, I believe Peter’s boldness comes from Jesus’ prayers (Lk. 22:32): “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” And even more, Jesus also prays for us (Jn. 17:20-21)! He prays we’ll be filled with his joy, be protected from the evil one, be his witness, be with him for eternity (Jn. 17). With these truths, may we walk in confidence and serve him in big and small ways not by our wisdom, not by our abilities, not by our wealth, but rely on the Holy Spirit as our source of wisdom, abilities, and provisions (Zc. 4:6).
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