This is the Sabbath Post for yesterday, which did not get posted as our power went out. ?

Some thoughts on Christ's command: "he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Lk 22

One thought is that we immediately have an example application: given Christ's great emphasis on this, the twelve were no doubt concerned, and wondered if the two swords they had among them were enough; and Jesus assured them that they were enough. So we can look at the circumstances of this case, and find some principles for why it was enough: for applying the command.

One of the most obvious reasons is that they were dirt poor; they may not have been able to buy another sword if they all sold all their garments. The command thus is not to sell all one's clothes and go without until one has enough money to buy a sword; rather it is this principle: it is God’s command that being well-armed and ready to fight must come before being well-clothed: it must be a higher priority.

Another thing is that they were a close-knit group, nearly always together. Having two of them armed with swords, one could go at the front, the other at the rear, one on this side and the other on that side, or fighting back to back, while the others could make their escape and bring other help.

Also, it was a group of fit men, who could no doubt hold their own with their staffs, or empty-handed in a pinch. So swords were less needful for them – but needful.

#sabbathposts 2023/06/03