Jesus and the Sword

[BetheButterfly]

Hello

 

One of the topics I have been studying lately in the Bible is concerning Jesus and the Sword. As a Christian, one thing that breaks my heart is all the killing "Christians" have done over the centuries "in Jesus' name." The Inquisitions, Crusades, witch hunts, and persecuting of others is contrary to Jesus' teachings, and should never have taken place.

 

The 12 apostles of Jesus heard Jesus' teachings, and watched Jesus' actions and reactions.

 

Now, Jesus did tell his apostles to buy a sword, but one of the reasons is because Jesus used what happened with a sword to teach the apostles, and all people willing to listen with their hearts, a very important lesson.

 

Luke 22 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

"35 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’[Isaiah 53:12]; 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’s enough!” he replied."

 

Obviously, Jesus was not training an army lol! Many of his apostles were fisherman and one (Matthew) was a tax collector. All were Jewish men, like Jesus. Notice that Jesus said that 2 swords were enough... for all of his 12 (-1) apostles.

 

Later on in the chapter, we see what one of his followers did with one of the swords...

 

Luke 22 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him."

 

Jesus did NOT condone killing or hurting people! With his actions and words, Jesus taught his apostles not to kill those who opposed him (Jesus) or them (Jesus' followers.)

 

In the account of John, more information is given, including the name of the specific apostle who cut off the man's ear, and the name of the man who experienced this.

 

John 18 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

"8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a] 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

 

 

Just as every person is different and people remember and recount different details of the same scene, so each gospel accounts events differently.

 

 

 

The account of Matthew includes more words of Jesus concerning what took place.

 

 

Matthew 26 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

" 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d]

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

 

 

Jesus clearly taught his apostles and disciples (followers) to love God and to love others, including their neighbors (no matter who their neighbors are) and even their enemies.

 

 

Luke 6 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

" 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

 

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 

Luke 10 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

"25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[Deut. 6:5]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[Lev. 19:18]”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

 

 

Christians need to continue to follow the teachings of Jesus, even to this day. The apostles of Jesus did not kill those who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, no. Throughout the account of Acts and the New Testament letters, it is clear that the apostles of Jesus and Jesus' followers were persecuted, but they themselves did not persecute or kill anybody. Rather, they just preached what they believe... the apostles of Jesus preached what they saw and heard from Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God) and even though that was around 2000 years ago, thank God that Jesus' teachings can still lead us today if we have ears to hear, and hearts to respond.

 

 

 

May God help Christians all over the world, both Jewish and Gentile Christians, of all nations, to love God #1, and to love others, and to pray for and do good to everyone, bless those who curse us, and help those who are in need.

 

 

 

Peace and God bless

[Mr Scorpio]

There is a well written book entitled "Myth of a Christian Nation" that applies the concept you are discussing to a political context. Very interesting read for atheist and Christian alike.

[quankanne]

As a Christian, one thing that breaks my heart is all the killing "Christians" have done over the centuries "in Jesus' name." The Inquisitions, Crusades, witch hunts, and persecuting of others is contrary to Jesus' teachings, and should never have taken place.

 

because for these folks, Jesus wasn't about finding a better path to God, he was a commodity that gave these folks "power" ... much in the way politicians today "claim" Jesus as a way to gain support. Plain and simple, it is abuse of a very personal relationship. And a very telling example of man's very human nature ...

[BetheButterfly]

There is a well written book entitled "Myth of a Christian Nation" that applies the concept you are discussing to a political context. Very interesting read for atheist and Christian alike.

 

I'll look that book up. It does sound very interesting. I personally believe that there is no such thing as a "Christian nation" though there are definitely nations with a vast majority of Christian people, whether by name/tradition, or believers heart and soul, or a mixture of both.

 

It is important to note that Jesus taught about the kingdom which is NOT an earthly kingdom, but rather a heavenly/spiritual one. Jesus did not teach his apostles and disciples to make war and force people to believe in him or die or have their possessions confiscated. Rather, Jesus taught his followers to love God, others, and even their enemies, and to help those in need. He prophesied that they would be persecuted, but he in no way advocated for them to persecute others. Sad to say, many "Christians" throughout the ages did not understand that and killed/persecuted/stole/raped/hurt people. This is totally against Jesus' teachings. Many nations that have claimed to be "Christian nations" have tragically killed many people who believed differently than them in order to claim to be a "Christian nation." This shows that they were truly not following Jesus' commands. The Founding Fathers of the USA, for example, although many were Christian, killed Native Americans, which is contrary to Jesus' teaching of loving one's enemies. If one truly loves one's enemies (which in that time were the Native Americans who resisted others driving them from the land they lived on, one would not kill one's enemies.

Edited May 9, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[BetheButterfly]

 

because for these folks, Jesus wasn't about finding a better path to God, he was a commodity that gave these folks "power" ... much in the way politicians today "claim" Jesus as a way to gain support. Plain and simple, it is abuse of a very personal relationship. And a very telling example of man's very human nature ...

 

That's sad but true that people thought of Jesus like the above description.