Jesus (the Master) is drawing closer and closer to the time of His crucifixion. With the background of Jesus predicting Peter’s denial, He tells them He is going away. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me. As I told the Jews, so now I am also telling you now: Where I am going you cannot come.”
They want to know where He is going where they cannot come also, but later they will be able to go. Peter vows he would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus knows better and predicts that will not happen and He ushers in the new commandment of love for one another is primary. Jesus tells them they will all fall away. They all said they would never disown Him.
Jesus knew better because He could read the hearts and minds and discern the intent and the hearts. Simon Peter throws other oral commitments to Jesus, “I am ready to lay down my life. Even ready to die and never disown you. Jesus further states that Satan has asked him (Jesus) to sift all of them like wheat, but He has not given permission to do so. Peter insists, “I am ready to go to prison and to death for you.” Jesus really puts Peter to the test, saying, “Before the rooster crows three times, you will deny me.”
Jesus gives them this reassurance to prepare them for difficult times to come. “When I sent you out before you went out without purse, bag or sandals and you lacked nothing (Luke 22:36) 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.” In this scripture, Jesus is telling His friends to be prepared for what He knows will soon come upon them, remember the betrayal by Judas is in the background.
Those who crucified Jesus will feel victorious and empowered to have rid the world of “this blasphemer; this tax evader; this rebel. He tells them all the time I have been here with you; They rejected “the King Jesus as Messiah” and the “King’s kingdom, which is in abeyance after its rejection.”
Now, we must wait until His return. “But now” you must change your gear and priorities. “But now” showing that precepts given when the kingdom was being proclaimed, no longer held good when it had been rejected. Be dressed and ready for more urgent and dangerous situations.
“You see how Judas betrayed me. There will be more rough times.” Was Jesus encouraging violence? No. He was encouraging the “scarlet thread” message with the mission of Rahab and her protection of the two spies. Keep watch. Help each other.
He was encouraging the same message throughout the parables – the fig tree, the householder, the servants, etc. Have faith. Be ready. He was encouraging the same message as in the 10 virgins (The bridegroom is coming); don’t hesitate to be the salt of the earth. Set an example. Be it now! Be prepared! Be spiritually ready.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, further eternal protection by His Spirit. “But now” suggesting an emphatic contrast between past and present, or near future. If he has a purse let him carry it. It will be needed either to buy a sword or, more generally, to provide for yourself. For now, He is going now not on a peaceful mission where he may expect friendly reception and hospitality, but on a campaign in an enemy’s country.
He who has not already a sword let him by all means get one. Let him sell his upper garment however indispensable for clothing by day and by night. A sword is the one thing needful. This is a realistic speech true to the manner of Jesus and what is rare in Luke, given without toning down – a genuine message without doubt.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Or Questions? Please let me know. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible, Expositor’s Greek, Companion Bible, biblehub.com, compellingtruth.org.
