Saturday, March 23, 2013
John 18:10-11 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.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
USE A REAL WEAPON, PETER!
When Peter wanted to fight the enemies of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, he drew his sword. A sword? Are you kidding, Peter? With all those armed soldiers circling around you? Furthermore, Jesus said to those who came out to arrest Him, "This is your hour-- when darkness reigns" (Luke 22:53). So here's a hint for you, Peter: The enemies, the wicked who seek Jesus' life, the powers of darkness, the devil and his evil angels-- they aren't going to be taken down with a sword.
Peter needed a *real* weapon. Not the sword from his scabbard, but the sword of the Spirit (cp. Ephesians 6:17). Indeed, the word of God would be able to turn back the powers of darkness all that night and into the next day. It was the word of God that trampled Satan underfoot as Jesus went to trial and then to the cross.
+ It was the word Jesus spoke in the presence of the high priest declaring Himself to be the Son of God: "I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64).
+ It was the word He spoke from the cross that He was suffering for the sin of the world: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mattthew 27:46).
+ It was the word He cried when His redeeming work had been completed and He gave up His life: "It is finished" (John 19:30).
With words like these, the powers of darkness were defeated. So put away your sword, Peter, and use a *real* weapon! And you know what -- that's just what he did:
1 Peter 1:3-5, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
