November 19, 2006 The Sword in its Proper Place

[Gabe Suarez]

We often hear from Christians that are uncomfortable with the Christian Warrior heritage we live by. They, fixated by the Lamb and ignorant of the Lion, point out the turning of the cheek, and the “live by sword-die by sword” argument.

First of all, Christ did not teach to discard the sword. Rather he taught the sword in its proper place, and that those whose only resource was violence would inevitably perish by it. Christ actually teaches us to be prepared to provide for our own security vis a vis the personal weapon of the day – the sword.

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

We can argue about the meaning of this Scripture if you wish, but the fact remains that Christ directly told His men to arm themselves. When He had sent them out originally, He told them to take nothing but faith and that all would be provided for them. They obeyed and it was as The Master had taught. They lacked nothing. But this time it was different.

When they returned to him with two swords, he did not correct them as He did at other times when they mistook His teachings, but rather told them that two swords were enough. Perhaps only two of them were physically able to use sword, perhaps two is all they could afford, but the point is His men were packing.

The sword was meant for physical protection, not specifically - as some commentators write – some sort of spiritual precursor to the Bible. The sword was meant for fighting and likely killing the evil men who would try to do the same to them in a fallen world. The sword was not to be relied upon exclusively, but rather kept in its proper place, for its proper use, at the proper time.

Today a sword would be analogous to a pistol.

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Luke 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Christ did in fact tell Peter the swordsman that those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. But in what context?

Matthew 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matthew 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Consider the literal context. Christ was being arrested and surrounded. It was His mission to give himself up and be sacrificed. If His men stood and fought at that moment (on their own strength) they would have been killed by the superior numbers. And if the enemy was resisted at that moment, would Christ have completed His mission?

Christ would not tell His men to arm themselves and later contradict His teachings. God is the same always and unchanging

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not

Christ gave a few commands while He was with us in earthly form. Pastors make a big deal about the “loving your neighbor”, and so forth, but when it comes to this issue of the sword there is so much waffling and flip-flopping you’d think they went to the John Kerry school of ministry.
Sword is sword, in this context and it is very clear to all who read without agenda and led by the Spirit.

Taking up the sword carries grave responsibilities that few men, let alone Christians, are comfortable with. Yet the command from Luke 22 remains.

and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Christ told His men to arm themselves, clearly and positively. We could make a convincing argument that these men were neither soldiers nor police, but rather common citizens, and that this is a mandate for Christians to cultivate the possession of weapons and of skill-at-arms. And moreover, that any Pastor, or law of man, or governing body that tries to prevent this is actually preventing us from pursuing our faith.

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

[DaveJames]

Gabe,, I have read and followed along , and have kept my mouth shut as I promised myself,,,

But you would have made the OLD WARRIOR PRIESTHOOD SMILE

[panchofreud]

Thank you Gabe!

[bookman]

Great food for thought....Thanks Gabe

[Colombianito]

Gabe, A very personal question i have for you.
What Bible do you use and read?? I've heard of different VERSIONS having different slant/views from one another. I ask you this because i don't want to buy a bible and find out its turning me into a Jehovahs witness or mormon etc.

[Al Lipscomb]

Some translations do show some bias on the part of the organization doing the translation. For general use I would recommend one of three well known translations:

1) New King James Version. It maintains the "feel" of the old King James Version but updates the English to a more modern vocabulary. You still get some "thee" and "thou"s but it is much more readable.

2) New International Version. A common and easy to read translation. Not for serious study as the translation style makes some sacrafices for easy reading.

3) New American Standard Version. Good technical translation but hard for some people to read.


You can get an idea of the different translations at www.bible.org

[Bruce Piffel]

Gabe good stuff....what's a scrip ?

[Colombianito]

Thanks ARL.


New King James version is what i was leaning toward.

[Gabe Suarez]

New King James. I also hanve E-Sword, a Bible software program with various translations and Greek/Hebrew translations. Look also at the Blue Letter Bibble at www.blueletterbible.com

[Manwell]

I agree that Jesus wants us to arm ourselves; to defend against heathenness aggressors. For how can a disciple of the Lord spread His word if that disciple is dead or maimed out of commission? My body is the Lords temple and He has provided me with tools and training to defend it. I honestly believe that God wants me to train and has provided me with the opportunity to train with other Christians such as Gabe… I’ve been blessed.

Manwell