June, 2000

We are going to do a Bible study that might revolutionize your thinking. The reason we study the Bible is to get the character of God in us, so that we might express the wisdom  of  God to others. God entered flesh to see life from a mortal perspective. What images do you have of God? The image that you have will effect how you live, as well as how you believe. Let's look at Luke 22:36-39  "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. For I say unto you, that this is written must yet be accomplished in me and he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, it is enough."

Now let's take a brief look at John 18:10-11 "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and smote the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, put thy sword into the sheath." Our scene is set. When a prophet asks a question, it is not to get an answer, but to teach a lesson. Jesus  asked his disciples, "To this point, have you lacked anything?" They replied, "Of course not,  Master." Jesus, in his own words (not metaphorically speaking), said with much urgency, "Do you have a sword? If you don't have a sword, then sell the clothes off your back and buy one."

I believe that, in all 27 translations of the Bible, it says the same thing. This is a physical sword, not a spiritual one. In verse 37 of Luke, Jesus said, " it is written you must be accomplished in me and that the things concerning me have an end." Meaning you are to be prepared, not fight, but be prepared. How can I say that you might ask? I'm sure that we all agree that Jesus, God in the flesh, was all-knowing, all-seeing, and just all-in-all. Then please tell me how was it possible that Peter was carrying a sword without the knowledge of Jesus? It was not possible that Peter could wheel that sword faster than Jesus could hear him or see him or feel him. All Jesus had to do was wink, blink, move a finger, move a toe, or just look, and that sword would have melted or disappeared.

A little on in the scripture, it says that we have two swords. Jesus said that that is enough. Two is the biblical number of witness.  In Luke 22:49, it says that they (the disciples) that were with Jesus, shall we smite with the sword? This is just a further illustration showing that not only was Peter armed, but all of the other disciples were, also. Jesus never said to use the physical sword, but here is the principal: "Perception is greater than reality". There is no recorded battle in the Bible that Goliath ever won, but we still call him champion. Why? We call Goliath champion because he made himself larger then he really was, and the public bought it. Only the true spirit of God can cut through all the false bravado and show a person for what they really are. In the presence of truth, the enemy must always reveal itself.