2023_04_19 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Exodus 24, Mark 10, Exodus 34, Luke 22
Good teachers know that there are many ways to get a point across. Facts are good, but often they aren’t memorable on their own, so using illustrations, personal stories, exaggerated analogies, and other tools are helpful. Jesus used all of these. One example was just before He was betrayed by Judas and arrested. In Luke 20, we read:
“Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. 36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” 38 “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said.” Luke 22:35–38 (NLT)
For Jesus to tell the disciples to buy swords seems very strange because, in a short while, He is going to be arrested, and He never suggests that they fight off the Roman soldiers. In fact, when Peter takes his sword and cuts the ear off one of the soldiers confronting them, Jesus stops their resistance (see John 18:10,11).
This is an example of reading and studying the Bible in a broad context, and not merely taking a verse by itself to extract meaning. In Luke 10, Jesus sends His team off on a mission trip and tells them, “Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals.” Luke 10:4 (NLT). He goes on to clarify that along the way, they will be cared for by people who will provide everything they need. In our current passage in Luke 22, the situation has changed; instead of being welcomed, the disciples will soon be seen as dangerous rebels and therefore need to be on their guard. Telling them to buy swords was not a call to armed resistance but a metaphor for being alert, aware, and careful. Two clues make this reasonable: (1) nowhere else does Jesus urge His people to be armed (2) and when we read “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said.” (Luke 22:38), two swords would not be much of a deterrent, and His “That’s enough” shows they had missed the point!
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor