Reflecting on Luke 22:35-38“If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:36)
Once a very sincere christian used this verse to defend gun ownership.
They were convinced that Jesus urges His followers to arm themselves.
Jesus isn’t preparing them to fight; He will tell them to drop their swords (Matthew 26:52).
He is fulfilling the words of Isaiah about the Messiah standing with rebels.
It was an object lesson for that moment, not an enduring principle for life.
Two swords do not make a rebellion but it was enough for the religious leaders.
The religious leaders saw this as the proof they needed to charge Jesus.
The sword is NOT the way of the Messiah, but it is the way of the world.
Guns are not the Jesus Way to fight, but they are the world’s way.
That sincere christian was using scripture to defend the way of the world.
We live in a world that sees might and force as the way to bring peace.
It makes sense that worldly people think this way… not not Jesus followers!
Jesus is very clear for His followers: “You are not to be like that.” (Luke 22:26)
We do not fight with the weapons of this world (2 Corinthians 10:2).
Jesus calls us to bare our arms (as servants), not to bear arms (as soldiers).
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, the world sees Your Way as weak, but we should know better. Your Way of grace, mercy and peace is HOW You overcame evil, and the Way we are called to stand with You. Help me to 'stand up, stand up for Jesus' with love, and not the sword.
The world leaders today trust in their ‘horses’, their own might and power. Might makes right. Empires in past have fallen that way and will also today. Love makes the world go around, the love of Jesus. The people in His time expected a change in power when He entered Jerusalem, but didn’t see nor understand the Jesus Way. Today rulers still think they are in control by their force, but they too will fail. Christ Jesus is the Ruler yet and He will overcome. Grace and truth will mark the Way.