Daily Devotion for March 9, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 9

 

Resisting Arrest

 

The men seized Jesus and arrested him.  Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  Mark 14: 46-47

 

We are told that they ‘laid hands on Him.’ But this was no gentle arrest, there was no deference given to Jesus. In the original, the word means ‘they clapped hands on Him.’ There is more than a hint of violence involved. Despite His reputation as a preacher of peace, Jesus was treated like a common, dangerous criminal. It was, of course, a taste of things to come.

 

One of those present was so outraged by the treatment that Jesus was receiving that he drew his sword and lashed out, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant. The Gospel of John, writing later, tells us that this was impetuous Peter; the other Gospel-writers, wisely, decide not to give the name. We should notice that he had a sword, in fact there were two swords amongst the disciples, indeed, just before His death, Jesus had advised His disciples to take swords.

 

He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."  The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.  Luke 22:36-38 

 

However, Jesus also said that those who take up the sword would die by it. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:52)   Perhaps Jesus’ point to the disciples was to be a test, would they allow to happen what he had told them repeatedly MUST take place….

 

"The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."  Luke 9:22

 

Or would they act in the same way as those coming to arrest Jesus?  Obviously, at least one of them failed the test. 

 

Prayer
Jesus, help me to handle opposition in the same way You faced opposition, with love and forgiveness.  Let me trust You in all situations.  Help me to “turn the other cheek” as you taught me to do.  Amen

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