When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He offered God's Chosen Nation of Israel the "Kingdom on Earth".

In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus chose 70 disciples to go, two by two, a pair to each city in the Land of Israel. This was a unique mission to witness to the people of the Nation of Israel.

Jesus sent them out on this unique mission, barefooted, without a money bag, and without any provisions (food, extra clothing, etc.), and Jesus said in verse 2, that He was sending them out as "lambs among wolves" - helpless:

Luke 10:2-4 "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way".

In the end, of course, Jesus was rejected, and the "Kingdom on Earth" was delayed and is still future.

This story is not complete, though, until we see "the rest of the story", in Luke 22:35 & 36, where Jesus asks His disciples to recall their unique "barefoot", "two by two" mission:

Luke 22:35 "And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Lu 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

Buy a sword! In Luke Chapter 22, Jesus has been rejected by the Nation of Israel and is going to the Cross. As He anticipates His Work on the Cross and the change of Dispensation, from the Jewish Age, to the Age of Grace, in which we presently live, He tells His disciples that when He leaves them, a big change is coming, and they will need to be prepared to protect themselves! We find in Luke 2:38, that two of the disciples were carrying swords that night, and, in verse 36, Jesus tells them that now they ALL need a sword. This is emphasized by the statement of Jesus - "he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

The Greek word for "sword" in Luke Chapter 22 is "machaira", not the large "military" sword, but a small sword that could be concealed under ones clothing. In Luke 22:38 we find that Peter was one of the two disciples carrying a sword, and in verse 50, Peter (Also see John 18:10-11) pulled his sword from its sheath, and lashed out at the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear. Of course, Jesus healed the ear, because it was His purpose on earth to be taken that night, tried, and to die on the Cross for us. Peter used his sword at the wrong time. Jesus had told His disciples often that it was His purpose to die for the sins of His people and return to Heaven.

History tells us that during the 20th century, 170 million people were slaughtered, on a massive scale, by their own governments, after first being disarmed!

During the 20th century, Governments murdered four times as many of their own disarmed civilian citizens, as were killed in all the international and domestic wars combined!

Now, some may argue in favor of gun control, because "the battle is the LORD'S". I would remind you that this quote is from 1 Sam. 17:47, where David WAS armed with the slingshot he used to protect his father's sheep, and that he was called to assist in a military campaign. God showed His mighty power through the shepherd boy and his slingshot, but David was not "unarmed", he used his "weapon of choice".

Others might also object that if we "live by the sword, we will die by the sword". This statement comes from Matt. 26:51, where Jesus is stating that Peter was wrong to use his sword in this instance. Jesus had, that very night, told his disciples to buy a sword, in Luke 22:36.

I believe we, as Christians, should not be helpless, and we should also support organizations that lobby and stand up for our constitutional right to "bear arms".

Yes, I believe God supernaturally protects His people, but, from a study of the New Testament, it is abundantly clear that God requires US, to do the things that He motivates US to do, and He does FOR us the things that we cannot do.

In Luke 22:35 & 36, as Jesus prepared to return to His Heavenly Home and Glory, He did not want His disciples to be "helpless", and I do not believe God wants His people to be "helpless" today, as we await the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ "in the air"!

Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men".

E-Mail me at bobjones@biblefood.com if you would like to join in the discussion.

Bob

A list of Organizations in the United States who promote the preservation of our 2nd Amendment rights

  See also "God has Ordained Nations"