Luke 22:35-38

Luke 22:35-38

And He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag, sack, and sandals did you fall short of anything?”  And they said, “Nothing.”  And he said to them, “But now the ones who have a money bag take it up.  Similarly, also a knapsack.  And the one who does not have sell his garment and buy a large knife.  For I say to you all that this thing that has been written is necessary to be finished in me: ‘Also with lawless He was being counted.’  For even the thing regarding me has an end.”  And the ones said, “Look, Lord, here are two large knives.”  And He said to them, “It is sufficient.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus talks to the disciples about the time in the past when He sent them out to do the will of the Father.  In the Father’s will, they needed to worry about nothing.  They didn’t need to pack up their supplies.  They didn’t need to worry about protection.  In the Father’s will, there is protection and provision.

Have you ever felt the protection of the Lord in your life?  Have you ever felt the provision of the Lord in your life?

Second Thought:

In this circumstance, however, Jesus tells His disciples to take up their money, their supplies, and even a knife for protection!  Does this mean that God is not in control in this situation?  Absolutely not.  God is sovereign over the good times and the bad times.  However, the point that Jesus is emphasizing here is that there are human beings who are actively imposing their free will upon the world around Jesus.  I don’t think Jesus’ point could be more clear.  When human beings are more interested in asserting their own free will, we need to protect ourselves and make sure we are ready to survive.

Have you ever felt the imposition of human free will upon your life?  Have you ever felt the need to protect yourself from others?  Has your free will ever imposed on others?

Third Thought:

Jesus says another interesting thing here in this passage.  He says that even the things written about Him will have an end.  Does He mean that His ministry will have and end?  Perhaps this is the case, but I don’t think so.  His ministry continues on even after His resurrection.  What I think that Jesus is saying is that the completion of what He has been called to do is at hand.  His time is up.  He has taught all that He can teach.  He has given all of the displays of God’s power that He was called to do.  The only thing left is to complete the work in death.  His calling on earth is coming to a conclusion.  He walks towards His calling, embracing what He has been asked to do.

Why is it important to us to hear that Jesus completed the work that He was sent here to do?  How can you imitate Jesus by completing what God has asked you to do?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 22:39-46