S - "And
he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals,
did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the
one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who
has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture
must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what
is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are
two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”… While he was still speaking,
there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading
them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would
you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw
what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one
of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But
Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him." (Luke 22:35-38, 47-51 ESV)
O - There is an absolute ton of dynamics going
on in these few verses. Yet, the anchor
point for them all was the twelve being sent out to surrounding villages without the usual necessities;
intentionally refusing to take them.
Amazingly, they actually believed Jesus and went with nothing and
amazingly they lacked nothing. So he chooses this intense moment (his actual
betrayal and arrest) to restate the point in a direct question. According to Jesus, before you take moneybag,
knapsack, sandals and even a sword, this reality of the nearness of the Kingdom
and how life on earth works in that Kingdom is essential; not just in one's
theology but in one's actual experience and current worldview. Even with this
firmly in place, there's misunderstanding about the sword. Like the rest, it's
a "lawful" thing to have. But for
Jesus the point of having a sword in this situation is NOT using it. His
inaugural slogan and his earlier words to Peter apply:
- "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, [literally think differently] for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”" (Matthew 4:17 ESV)
- "But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”" (Mark 8:33 ESV)
A - Am I willing to believe Jesus about earth
(John 3:11-12) … to accept his instruction and live it out loud the way his
first followers did? Will I engage
ongoing repentance; transformed thinking? Not just about sin but about
everything because the Kingdom is near, not far away. I admit I will not be able to do or sustain
this on my own. I will need the help of
God's Spirit, the Scriptures and the followers of Jesus. I have the privilege of choosing to engage in
confident and dependent hope of the help heaven promises. I choose yes. I will
believe Jesus and follow!
P - Lord who is life,
Thank
you for insisting that we follow your person and admit that you are fully
engaged in life on earth … daily bread and swords included. I admit that,
at what I think are my finest moments, I may be in error … thinking like
a mere human rather than like you. I
welcome the help of your Spirit, your written and speaking voice and the
counsel of my brothers and sisters.
Thank you that to this very day I still lack nothing.
Saying
yes in Jesus' Name,
Steve
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