Verse 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.
In Matthew 26: 52, we read “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
In the garden of Gethsemane, we see that the other disciples ask Jesus if they should strike but before Jesus could answer, Peter acts hastily and out of impulse already struck him. He just wanted to fight ON HIS OWN STRENGTH. He was not ready or willing to accept an answer from Jesus.
Peter relied on physical power to overcome the enemies. His intention was to protect Jesus and instead of believing on His words, his faith was on the sword. We see a conflict of interest between Jesus who surrendered willingly to His father’s will and Peter who trusted his weapon and wanted to fight – a worldly fight.
The sword can be compared any carnal or fleshly protection we seek. People trust in guns for protection and they are misused - almost every day there is an incident where guns are used.
Peter was called to be a rock. Matthew 6:18, 19, I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” He also had a divine plan for Peter and had prayed that Peter’s faith should not fail. But Peter’s faith was based on the flesh and he failed miserably.
In contrast to Peter, let us look at David’s and Goliath’s story in 1 Sam 17.
Goliath was a strong man and fully equipped in the worldly sense.
verse 5. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels (125 pounds); 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels (15 pounds). His shield bearer went ahead of him.
Unlike Peter who trusted in his own ability, David simply trusted God. He was spiritually prepared for a battle because his faith was on God alone. In verse 45 - David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
Verse 47 - All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” David had so much faith in God and knew for sure that the sword cannot save him – he even gave Saul’s sword and armor back. He was so strong in his faith in God.
Verse 50 - without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
In contrast to David, Peter had his total faith in the sword and when told to put the sword back into the sheath, he was defenseless. David on the other hand, laid down his sword and proclaimed his faith in God.
Where is our faith today? What is our sword? It may not be a gun or sword, but what is that one thing that we have laid on trust on? Is it our resources - our bank balance, our assets, our children, our wisdom – anything that we rely on is like clinging to the sword? When giants like Goliath come our way, how do we react? How are the words that come out of our mouth? Do we magnify God? God is asking us to put that very sword that we trust into the sheath and rely on Him totally like David did.
God wants us to surrender that one thing which we have placed our faith on. Until we surrender ourselves like David (Complete trust) the Lord cannot use us for His glory.
The Lord Almighty wants us to return to Him. Jeremiah 3:12 ‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord,.. for I am merciful, declares the Lord.’ Hosea 12:6 ‘…by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait (trust) continually for your God.’ Hosea 14:1 ‘Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God….’ Let us search our hearts and turn to Him.
Memory Verse:
Lamentations 3: 40 ‘Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.’
புலம்பல் 3:40. நாம் நம்முடைய வழிகளைச் சோதித்து ஆராய்ந்து, கர்த்தரிடத்தில் திரும்பக்கடவோம்.
Shared by: Viji John
02-26-2015
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