Luke 22:35-36 (ESV)
[35] And he said to them, “When I
sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?”
They said, “Nothing.” [36] He said to them, “But now let the one who has a
moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword
sell his cloak and buy one.
Earlier Jesus had sent his
disciples out to preach, telling them not to take any provisions. Now he is
telling them to take provisions. We need to be careful that we do not read one
passage apart from context and other scriptures and take it as the standard for
our lives. Some have taken the passage that says to take no provisions and concluded
that is how we are to live. No savings. No preparation. No planning. Just trust
God. Others take this passage and note that Jesus says to take a sword,
concluding that Christians should be prepared to use weapons to protect ourselves.
I’m pretty sure that’s not what either passage is intended to communicate.
The sword referred to in this
passage was similar to the modern day machete. It was used as a weapon, but it was
also used as a tool. Biblehub.com says, “Roman law technically prohibited
subject peoples from stockpiling military-grade arms . . . yet it tolerated
sidearms useful for self-protection or agricultural tasks.” It continues, “A
short sword (machaira) [that’s the word Jesus used here] under two Roman feet
evaded classification as a “weapon of war” and therefore rarely prompted
confiscation.”[1]
Twelve men with two machaira (short swords) would not be considered a
threat. Twelve men with twelve swords might be. Perhaps that is why Jesus said
that two swords were enough. My point here, however, is that Jesus does not
seem to be talking about protection as much as provision. Take a moneybag. Take
a knapsack. Take a sword. That is not the description of weaponry and dress for
war. It is rather the typical fare of a traveler.
Whether there are times when we
are not to prepare or there are times when we are to protect ourselves using force
and/or violence are questions for other passages. In this case, Jesus is trying
to tell his disciples that he won’t be around. He is going to the cross. Their
world is changing and they need to be prepared for it. But notice that he
reminds them that when they went out without provisions, they were provided
for. He wants them to be prepared but not fearful, ready but not anxious. In
our ever-changing world, shouldn’t that be the attitude of the believer?
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