Just Helping Jesus Out A Little? – by Eliezer Gonzalez

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Sep 17, 2015 1597

…one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. – Matthew 26:51–52, NIV

I’m sure that Peter thought he was doing the right thing. After all, hadn’t he promised Jesus that he wouldn’t abandon him? Peter was a practical man, taught by a hard life of surviving based on his own skills and strength. The other disciples were cowards, after all; how did they think to protect Jesus in the city of Jerusalem, with its hostile leaders? Did they simply think to walk in unarmed? These were dangerous times! So Peter was the one who had brought the sword.

He meant to use it too. When he swung it he cut off the ear of the leader of the mob – the chief servant of the High Priest himself. He had been aiming for the neck, but in the rush, his aim had been poor. Instead of a decapitation, all he had achieved with his first stroke was an amputation of the ear. There was a lot of blood.

But as he lunged again Jesus restrained him and rebuked him.

The rebuke of the Lord is for all those who think that they need to help Jesus out just a little.

For the battle of our Lord was a spiritual battle. It only masqueraded as a physical conflict, but it wasn’t. It was the climactic spiritual battle in the campaign of the ages, and it was to be fought spiritually.

Too many of our troubles in this world masquerade as physical troubles, not only in our world and in our communities, but in our families, in our marriages, and within our souls. But they aren’t. They are spiritual battles – Satanic attacks.

Too often, my sword is my tongue. What’s yours?

Like Peter, it is time for you to put down your sword. To lash out with it is to take up the weapons of the enemy, and we also will truly perish. To lash out with the sword is to misunderstand the problem and its cause, and most of all, its solution.

You see, when he was betrayed, Jesus knew what he had to do. And he didn’t need any help from Peter. Jesus knows what he has to do in your life as well. Surrender to him and admit that you are helpless in this fight.

– Eliezer Gonzalez