Skip to content

Jesus follower

trying to find His way

Menu
  • why Jesus follower?
Menu

Killing ourselves with our swords!

Posted on June 3, 2020June 2, 2020 by Norm

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 26:47-54

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)
Can you imagine the anger that this moment caused?
Here we see Jesus as representative of all abused victims.
His crimes were loving and healing others, and upsetting the social order.
God’s anger could have roused twelve legions of angels in a nano-second.
In this moment I see the heart of the gospel.
God has every right to draw His sword, but He doesn’t.
He refuses to join sinners in being overcome by evil.
Violence does not end violence, it only makes it worse.
(Someone should tell the president and the looters this).
I find myself trapped; I too am angry, but my anger is selfish.
In my angrier and weaker moments I want to use my words as a sword.
But I see Jesus, responding to evil with humility and grace.
Yes, He got walked all over, and ultimately killed.
But He was not overcome by evil; rather He actually overcame it!
PRAYER
Lord, I am not a victim, so I have no right to speak to this. If I was a victim, I would not have Your strength. Have mercy on us… oh yeah, You did! Thank You for continuing to be merciful with us.

2 thoughts on “Killing ourselves with our swords!”

  1. RD says:
    June 4, 2020 at 9:25 am

    Having work alongside and in teams with Mennonites – who have become my friends – I appreciate their passion for peaceful resistance – to not take up arms. How do we stand up to evil and bullies – to persecution? What of the Hitlers in this world or other autocrats that condone mass genocide of races? Hard to say this in the face of what happened under Moses and Joshua in the ethnic cleansing of the people in the ‘promised’ land. There is a place for armed resistance – but we need to be sure of the mission. Jesus knew he must be passive in order to complete his mission – so he told his disciples to lay down the arms. So, the criterion is: what is our mission? Not to be like the Crusaders – taking up arms to extend the gospel – that is such a contradiction. Yet we must stand up for injustice – which is what I believe the best peaceful rallies are doing- creating solidarity of voice alongside all races and religions.

    Reply
  2. tdk says:
    June 3, 2020 at 6:43 am

    In times like these . . . how does one respond?
    On bended knee. My hope and trust is in the Lord and not in violence or retaliation. All too often I want it my way, but God’s way is the right way. Revenge is never the answer nor taking the law into my own hands.
    May the peoples find their hope in You Lord and may You light the way in which we all need to walk, in the SonShine of Christ. May others see Him in me.

    Lord the light of Your love is shining
    In the midst of the darkness, shining
    Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
    Set us free by the truth You now bring us
    Shine on me
    Shine on me

    Shine, Jesus, shine
    Fill this land with the Father’s glory
    Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
    Flow, river, flow
    Flood the nations with grace and mercy
    Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

think about it!

The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still.

— A. W. Tozer

posts

  • Putting on a religious show?
  • Are we doing what Jesus did?
  • Reading through Matthew 23
  • Humbled before the Lord!
  • Rules of the road!
  • I’m likely in error too!
  • To be good citizens like Jesus!
  • Looking for signs of goodness?
  • Refusing grace?
  • Reading through Matthew 22

comments

  • Jackie Verhulst on Reading through Matthew 18:15-35
  • Norm on Reading through Matthew 18:1-14
  • M on Reading through Matthew 18:1-14
  • AED on How can I lift this burden?
  • Caroline on Too familiar with Jesus?
  • Caroline on Can they feel the love?
  • Caroline Payne on Exercising my authority!
  • Norm on Exercising my authority!
  • Caroline Payne on Exercising my authority!
  • Norm on A reminder of our need for grace!

archives

© 2025 Jesus follower | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme
Menu
  • why Jesus follower?