August 16 Change is Coming

Luke 22:35-38 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” he replied.
 
HERE is how we can understand Jesus’ urgent words.
    First, as he asked, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” Jesus reminded the disciples of God’s care for them. For three years, generous people have cared for their physical needs. He had also sent them to minister with no money or food. The Lord provided people to support their work.  
    Second, Jesus alerted them to change. “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” The disciples, once welcomed, will be generally rejected among the Jews. Their gospel ministry will face great opposition. They will need money and a bag for personal needs. The sword is more a symbol than a weapon. These vulnerable men must be alert to danger. Jesus does not urge them to attack those who are about to arrest him. But he wants them properly prepared to defend themselves.  
    Third, Jesus tells them why this abrupt change will occur: “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” Jesus pointed one more to the prophets’ words such as Isaiah 53. Again he taught God’s eternal sovereign will is forming all events. God’s students are about to become God’s apostolic leaders.
    Fourth, the disciples literally respond to Jesus’ directive to get a sword. “See, Lord, here are two swords.” Again, they don’t need the swords now. In fact, when he is arrested, Jesus will tell Peter to put away his sword. Again, the sword is about being alert to opposition the rest of their lives.
    Fifth, Jesus concludes this warning with, “That is enough.” He doesn’t say that two swords are enough. He indicates they have talked enough to one another. It is time to talk to the Father.
    The very essence of Christianity is deliberate, urgent proclamation of the good news. We must be willing to sacrifice, offer grace, lavish love and freely forgive. At times, too, we must defend ourselves from earthly tyranny and evil. And always we are to fight physically and spiritually to resist evil attacks on our faith and our God. Guard yourself against opposition. Arm yourself with God’s gospel.
 
Prayer: Equip me, Father, for the conflicts before me. Arm me with faith, hope and love to do battle for you. Protect your church from those who would do physical harm. Care for the imprisoned. Empower the persecuted. Grant them peace and strength in Jesus’ name. Amen.