Make Sure You Buy A Sword

Luke summarizes five mission tours in his Gospel account.  The first four are:  (1) Jesus on mission alone (4:43); (2) Jesus on mission with the Twelve, some other disciples, and supporting and ministering women (8:1-3); (3) the Twelve by themselves on a limited mission tour (9:1-6); and (4) the Seventy-Two on a larger mission tour (10:1-16).  

The Mission Changed On The Fifth Tour 

Luke 22:35–38 ESV “And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 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. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.””

Jesus reminds His disciples about their previous mission campaigns.  On those circuit missions, they were told not to make any special preparations, being under a strict training in the early days.  During those times God provided everything they needed for their lives and mission.  This served as a great first lesson of total dependence upon God, and total focus on the Mission.  Such vulnerability would strengthen them for their future works of mission.

But, the fifth tour would be the Final Tour, namely the Tour of the World to take the Gospel to every people group!  

ESV Luke 24:46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Full Preparations Are Necessary For The Final Mission

Their new mission as the commissioned Apostles leading the Mission of the Church would be much greater.  The honor and glory would be greater, and so would be the hostilities, and so they were to be fully prepared.  They were to make full provision, whatever would be needed:  money and supplies, and they were to make sure they got a sword.  

The sword is singled out as important and as symbolic because the future will be filled with terrible hostilities.  Jesus is speaking beyond the literal in a metaphor for making sure they are fully prepared spiritually.  The sword symbolizes all the spiritual warfare that they would encounter and battle through in the future. 

They did not understand.  They were happy to have two swords; but this would not enough to help physically, even less so spiritually.  Jesus’ reply is simply “that is enough of that.”  Obviously, Jesus was not advocating that His Apostles take up arms against their enemies.

They needed to be fully prepared spiritually, by prayer and faith.  Such important preparations they had yet to make, as would be shown that very night in the Garden of Gethsemane.  There they failed--by using a real sword, by sleeping instead of praying, and then by fleeing in fear.  

Later in the Book of Acts Luke would show how they learned the lesson and as a result led the Church into being bold, prayerful and willingly suffering like Jesus Himself.  This is why Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12 in reference to Himself as the Suffering Servant.  This would be His destiny, the purpose for His coming.  And if He was treated as a criminal, so would the Apostles be treated, and all the Church . . . and eventually even us.

Be Prepared For Persecutions

This is a call to war by Jesus.  It is a spiritual war, not a real war, not even primarily a cultural war.  We must be ready to fight with spiritual weapons and suffer in the body for the Gospel and the Kingdom.  

We are to speak truth, live out righteousness, and always be ready with the Gospel.  We should meet every situation with faith and confidence from our salvation.  We must pray all the time about everything and so stay alert and persevere to the very end.

Our Apostle Paul would teach and model for us the same thing, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

Jesus calls His Church to wage a spiritual war and He promises us victory and glory in the end.  So, go buy a sword if you don’t have one.  Get prepared for the spiritual battle, and then get into the spiritual battle and charge ahead in prayer and proclamation!