Matthew 26:47-54 NLT
And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. [48] The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: "You will know which one to arrest when I greet Him with a kiss." [49] So Judas came straight to Jesus. "Greetings, Rabbi!" he exclaimed and gave Him the kiss. [50] Jesus said, "My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for." Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested Him. [51] But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear. [52] "Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword. [53] Don't you realise that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? [54] But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"
The weapons that the mob came to use against Jesus were laughable to Him.
He knew that He had the capability to summon thousands of angels for supernatural protection.
The thugs employed by the religious leaders came with primitive swords and clubs planning to bludgeon Jesus into submission.
Peter, in his humanity, tried to fight fire with fire, but Jesus' way is not the way of the flesh.
He knew there was a different fight going on which couldn't be fought with conventional weapons.
The disciples looked at events from a human viewpoint, but Jesus knew that something far greater was at stake - our eternal salvation.
To win that battle He had to surrender Himself to their brutal tactics.
Each cruel blow to which Jesus voluntarily exposed Himself was a stepping stone to our liberation.
Each lash of the Roman scourging on Jesus' body brought healing for humanity.
When Jesus cried out "It is finished" on the Cross He meant He'd won the ultimate fight against sin.
It wasn't the kind of fight we see super heroes winning in the movies, but it is a far, far greater victory - one that reaches you and me - with eternal consequences.
Our battles must be seen in this context and our "weapons" are different too.
When we face aggressive opposition to our faith we need to realise that the warfare is spiritual and must be fought in a different way.
We may need to surrender to the "swords and clubs" of insults and tongue lashing and realise who the real enemy is.
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Help me, Father God, to "fight" with Your mighty weapons of lovingkindness, truth and fairness, knowing that Your heavenly armoury is more than enough for victory in every fight.
Hallelujah!
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