Matthew 26:51-53

Matthew 26:51-53

And behold!  One of the ones with Jesus – after extending the hand – drew his sword and struck the slave of the chief priest to remove his ear.  Then Jesus says to Him, “Put your sword back into its place!  For all the ones who take the sword will be destroyed in the sword.  Or do you think that I am not powerful enough to call upon my Father and He will immediately set beside me as many as twelve legions of angels?”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I find it absolutely interesting that one of Jesus’ disciples took matters into his own hands.  This just goes to show us what happens when we don’t understand what is happening around us.  Our human reaction when we don’t understand is to often act and do something.  However, quite often that something is wrong.  At the very least, we need to remember that it is hard to submit to God if we are simply reacting out of instinct to just do something.  This disciple makes a mistake.  His action and motivation is wrong – although understandable.  So often when we just act out of our reaction without thinking and especially without pausing to ask God what he wants us to do.

When have you reacted instead of thought?  How have you hindered the work of God through your lack of thought – even if unintentionally?

Second Thought:

Jesus rebukes this disciple and then gives him a piece of advice.  Those who take the sword will be destroyed in the sword.  In other words, how you live will impact how the people around you will treat you.  If we are prone to violent and thoughtless outbursts, then we will experience the people around us giving us violent and thoughtless outbursts in return.  If we think only of ourselves and our needs, then we will be treated as a person who thinks only of himself.  On the other hand, if we want to be treated with kindness and gentleness, this same principle teaches us that we need to treat other people with kindness and gentleness.

How do you act?  How are you treated?  Are there any similarities that you can note?

Third Thought:

Jesus then lays down reality.  He’s the Son of God.  He can call upon the Father and draw upon the full power of God.  The truth is Jesus doesn’t need us to defend Him.  God is capable of defending Himself quite nicely.  He needs us to abide by His will and submit to His desire.  He is powerful enough to handle the worst of the world.  He doesn’t need us to defend Him unless He calls us to His side to defend Him.  And should He do that, elsewhere in His Word Jesus promises us that it will be His Spirit that gives us the words and defense, anyways.

Have you ever stepped out of line and defended God when He didn’t need defending?  What does this even look like?  Do you find that it is easy for you to go off on your own and try to do the right thing but only to later realize that you were doing it on your own and not through God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 26:54-56