We never know what dangers are all around us.
It was just a normal Disney cruise to the Bahamas, until it wasn’t. On Sunday, a little girl fell overboard from the fourth deck of the ship, the Disney Dream. In the blink of an eye, her father – a true hero – leapt into the ocean to save his terrified child.
Every child needs a dad like that. Thankfully, we have one. And our Father has reminded us, over and over again, how much we need to be prepared for the dangers which lie ahead.
“Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” That specific provision is among Christ’s instructions to His disciples in Luke 22:36.
The disciples needed a sword.
On our road to heaven, you and I should expect to be assaulted by Satan and the forces of darkness – sometimes when we least expect it. If God’s enemy and ours can’t destroy us, he’ll try repeatedly to disturb or discourage or distress us. We can count on it.
In the life of a Christ follower, nothing more certainly predicts a disastrous fall than misguided self-confidence. Quite frankly, you and I are fools to disregard the Bible’s clear warnings about the spiritual danger which surrounds our daily grind. When we fail to watch and pray, we’re drawn into those sins which we were at some point resolved to avoid. Our hearts grow spiritually cold, and we lose the sharp clarity of our much-needed spiritual vision.
If we believers were left to ourselves, we would fall beyond recovery. But the good news is that you and I are kept by the power of God – and the prevailing prayers of Christ on our behalf.
The disciples needed a sword.
Our Lord is not naïve to the trying circumstances in which His disciples will find themselves. He’s telling them as much. They need to be prepared. After all, as we well know, some “friends” don’t turn out to be so friendly. Therefore, he who has a backpack full of helpful supplies for the journey, let him take it – for he may need it. The disciples should expect that their enemies will be difficult to contend with, and they will need weapons along the way.
The men are thinking of tangible weapons – as would we – while our Lord is mindful of the bigger picture. We can tell from the text that Jesus is concerned about the critical weapons of their spiritual warfare. For a day like today, friends, the importance of our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-20) – and particularly “the sword of the Spirit” – can’t be overstated. Remember: the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.
It seems that the disciples are thinking only of necessary self-defense against bandits or wild animals while they travel. Though these are legitimate concerns, Jesus is most focused on their spiritual readiness and the challenges they’re sure to face in penetrating spiritual darkness with the light of His gospel.
Why do I make that claim? Because the disciples’ proposed remedy, “Look, Lord, here are two swords,” brings about Jesus’s corrective: “It is enough.” You and I don’t feel the weight of that statement unless we think of it as “That’s enough!” or “Enough!” This strongly suggests that – though perhaps well-meaning – their literal interpretation of “sword” is insufficient. Somehow, they’re still missing the larger and more crucial point.
And it’s a point that I don’t want us to miss. The disciples may need a literal sword, but they definitely need the sword of the Spirit!
We see this later, when Peter – attempting to defend Jesus – uses his sword to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. “No more of this!” says Jesus. While the disciples are focused on self-defense, Jesus heals the man wounded by their “self-defense.”
There’s a time and a place for everything. But what God is accomplishing spiritually is always what matters most. And I don’t have to tell you that we can’t always see – with human eyes – what God is doing. That’s why we need our spiritual armor.
When I need to be reminded of my never-ending need for God’s Word, I like to read Psalm 119. I encourage you to take a look as well (spoiler alert: it’s long, so don’t rush) …
God’s Word is my wake-up call.
God’s Word is my warning.
God’s Word is my warranty.
God’s Word is my way-finder.
God’s Word is my wealth.
God’s Word is my weapon.
God’s Word is my wellbeing.
God’s Word is my willpower.
God’s Word is my win.
God’s Word is my wisdom.
God’s Word is my witness.
God’s Word is my wonder.
“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”
Just like those disciples, you and I are up against the devil’s schemes. Though sometimes we forget that we’re at our post, we’re battling rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers over the present darkness of this fallen world. Though we can’t see them, we’re combatting regularly evil spiritual forces in heavenly places. Other than that, our Christian pilgrimage is a cakewalk.
The disciples needed a sword.
To make it safely to homeport, you and I need heavenly weapons of unstoppable power. And the sword which we must never forget is the Word of God.
It’s your lifejacket, so don’t set sail without it.
Pastor Charles
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