Full Reading: Luke 22:7-65
Selective Reading Luke 22:35-38
There was a lot going on the night that Jesus was betrayed. He instituted the Lord’s Supper, He foretold Peter’s denial, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He was betrayed by Judas with a kiss.
Yet, there is a peculiar statement tucked away in Jesus’ teaching that is often overlooked. As Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death, He reminds them of His instructions from earlier in their journey. Back then, when Jesus sent out the disciples, He told them not to take any additional resources, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics” (Luke 9:3). But, here, Jesus seems to pivot and tell them to sell their outer cloak in order to buy swords.
Is Jesus being inconsistent? The earlier instruction was to demonstrate to the disciples that they could trust in God. He would provide all of their needs. This new instruction does not negate the first principle. Instead, Jesus is preparing them for a wave of persecution. The death of Jesus would have a drastic effect on the world. It would no longer be safe for the disciples to move around freely.
This was to fulfill what was prophesied in Isaiah 53 that the Messiah would be “Numbered with the transgressors.” Jesus would be accused of being an enemy of Israel and Rome. The same charges would be levied against all of His followers.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Jesus warned us that the world would hate us on His account, but this is how the Kingdom of God advances. By striking down the Savior, Satan would be defeated. By persecuting the disciples, the message of the gospel would spread throughout the world.
Are we prepared to pay the cost in following Christ? Are we ready and willing to do whatever He asks of us? Jesus laid down His life for us. Are we willing to live for Him?
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
