Was Jesus packing? I only asked because inquiring minds want to know. Was He strapped? Was the Lord carrying a concealed weapon? Was the Christ armed? I know these may seem like heresy and to say the least undignified questions. However, the matter came up as I was reading a passage of the Bible that referred to the advice the Lord gave to His
disciples, just shortly before His arrest. Here it is as recorded in Luke's gospel.
Lu 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.
Lu 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.
Lu 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Now I have not had the privilege of Biblical study in a seminary. I have yet to hear a sermon preached on this. I have read a few commentaries on this passage. To say the least, I am as confused as ever.
It appears to me that the Lord was advising the disciples to bear arms. He knew they were going into dangerous territory, facing dangerous and desperate people. So Jesus advises them, one might even say, commands them to sell their clothing if needs be, in order to
provide themselves with physical protection. And sure enough, the Lord was right. Shortly thereafter one of the disciples used his weapon when set upon by the mob in the middle of
the night.
Lu 22:49 When they which were about him saw what would follow; they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
Lu 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Lu 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
One might ask, if one has an inquiring mind, 'so what.' Not quite the query I would suggest, but a good one nonetheless. So what if this small passage in the Bible is memorized mulled over, meditated and masticated over, what is the significance in my life? I am glad
someone asked that question. As missionaries go to their foreign fields of service there is no
doubt these passages taken as a whole describe some of the fears we feel. Even Jesus knew the fears as He sweated blood (not bullets) in the garden of Gethsemane. He identified with those fears then, just as He identifies with the fears of Christians all over the world.
There are men and women, boys and girls who take their lives in their hands, just by mentioning the name of Jesus. Take a look at the website for Voice of the Martyrs (Persecution.com) to learn just how many lose their lives daily for professing their faith. Should they be armed? Should they be strapped? Should they be packing? There is no record that Jesus ever advised His followers to strike with the sword. In fact the only instance where one did so in defense of the Savior, Jesus undid the damage, healing the wound immediately (adds special meaning to he who has an ear, let him hear Rev: 2:7).
There is no justification whatsoever to say we can kill in defense of the gospel or what we perceive as Biblical values. We can live for Christ, and die for Christ. We cannot kill for Christ. The only thing that makes sense to me in this passage is that Jesus is reminding me again of the dangers we will face. Not only will we face physical danger, but we will face spiritual and emotional forces of demons, depression and doubt. We need to be locked and loaded. We need to be fully armed.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Get strapped. Go armed. Take the armour of the living God.
