My Sword
4 min read
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?”
John 18:10-11
Figuratively speaking, I’ve found myself in the past carrying a sword in my hand in the name of Jesus for the sake of His kingdom and His church. I will start wielding it in a flash of inspiration or urgency or self-righteousness. In the earlier days of being discipled (being discipled never stops), the results of wielding my “holy” sword were usually not good—misunderstandings, hurt feelings, bitterness and anger, loss of sleep, a lot of stress!
Poor Malchus! He probably didn’t want to even be there. But when his boss says go, what’s he supposed to do?
The Apostle Paul tells us that the “sword of the Spirit” is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). In that passage concerning the armor of God, the “sword of the Spirit” is the only offensive weapon. And I have witnessed many people using the Bible like that—an offensive weapon. And indeed, people do get offended by being hit upside the head with the word of God.
But what does Jesus say? He says “Put your sword away!” The word of God is not an offensive weapon to bludgeon and hack other people with. The word of God can be an offensive weapon, but it is an offensive weapon against the sin that wants to control our hearts.
Do we suppose that we are “protecting” Jesus from suffering for the sin of humanity?
What else does Jesus say?
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- Matthew 11:28-30
The word of God is a yoke with which we become yoked to our gentle and humble Lord. And His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
The word of God is the only sword in my arsenal as a soldier for Christ. I must use it only to fight the devil. The only other option is to surrender myself to the yoke of Christ.
Father, You have revealed all that we need to know in Your word. How could we live without it. There would only be chaos and confusion. Thank You for giving me a lamp for my feet. Teach me to wield Your word properly. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
