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.
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.
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