True that we are to be good steward of our processions, time, etc… including our body. Thus we must be responsible and right to protect ourselves. Self defense means to me is just being responsible. But I did not mean that you should go buy weapons and over zealous our selves.
Jesus indeed asked disciples to carry weapons. However, He did not tell the intent of it. The disciples were assuming that it must be for the enemies (in this case for the high priest soldiers). The difficulty about this text is that why Jesus still rebukes Peter when he uses the sword? Jesus said that those who use sword will die by the sword (Matt.26:52). Meanwhile, disciples asked Jesus before they strike one of the soldiers whether they should use the swords (v.49). Yes, Peter went ahead before Jesus even replied. Then Jesus stopped Peter. Jesus asked to bring sword and He rebuked when they used the sword. How can we understand Him?
This text (Luke 22:35-38) do not teach about self defense at all. Disciples assumed that it was for self defense lesson, just like they miss-understood Jesus when he warned them about Pharisees’ doctrine. (Matt. 16:11; “beware of the leaven of the Pharisee and Sadducee.”)
Moreover, Jesus was keep telling the disciples to watch and pray so that they may not fall into temptation. Temptation like compromising faith; when they rejected the Son of God on the way of cross, Peter denied Christ before rooster crow (v.31), etc… They were tempted to abundant God (Master) or their faith when trial came. On the other hand, Jesus teaches us to rely on God with prayer when hardship come not self defense. In reality, our self defense is not good enough to fight back or "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph.6:12).
Therefore, this text is about mission work of God. When you look at context, Jesus referred back to the “two by two” evangelism trip of disciples (Luke 10:1-4). Before, Jesus told them not to bring any items such as money bag, knapsack, or sandals for the trip but now He said bring those items pulse to bring sword. It is to emphasize the seriousness of mission work which is at hand. Beside, Jesus their Master is going to be taken away from disciples. Now they need to be supported or led by themselves in the mission work. It can even suggest that this day onward the job going to be difficult and prolong. It is harder for the disciples to follow Jesus compare to previous experiences.
Jesus indeed asked disciples to carry weapons. However, He did not tell the intent of it. The disciples were assuming that it must be for the enemies (in this case for the high priest soldiers). The difficulty about this text is that why Jesus still rebukes Peter when he uses the sword? Jesus said that those who use sword will die by the sword (Matt.26:52). Meanwhile, disciples asked Jesus before they strike one of the soldiers whether they should use the swords (v.49). Yes, Peter went ahead before Jesus even replied. Then Jesus stopped Peter. Jesus asked to bring sword and He rebuked when they used the sword. How can we understand Him?
This text (Luke 22:35-38) do not teach about self defense at all. Disciples assumed that it was for self defense lesson, just like they miss-understood Jesus when he warned them about Pharisees’ doctrine. (Matt. 16:11; “beware of the leaven of the Pharisee and Sadducee.”)
Moreover, Jesus was keep telling the disciples to watch and pray so that they may not fall into temptation. Temptation like compromising faith; when they rejected the Son of God on the way of cross, Peter denied Christ before rooster crow (v.31), etc… They were tempted to abundant God (Master) or their faith when trial came. On the other hand, Jesus teaches us to rely on God with prayer when hardship come not self defense. In reality, our self defense is not good enough to fight back or "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph.6:12).
Therefore, this text is about mission work of God. When you look at context, Jesus referred back to the “two by two” evangelism trip of disciples (Luke 10:1-4). Before, Jesus told them not to bring any items such as money bag, knapsack, or sandals for the trip but now He said bring those items pulse to bring sword. It is to emphasize the seriousness of mission work which is at hand. Beside, Jesus their Master is going to be taken away from disciples. Now they need to be supported or led by themselves in the mission work. It can even suggest that this day onward the job going to be difficult and prolong. It is harder for the disciples to follow Jesus compare to previous experiences.
Hope this will bring us into the realization of our dependency upon God's protection and guidance in our daily life.
1 comment:
Saya, Any rewards for me???
:D :P ;)
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