31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Jesus warned Peter that Satan was going to test the disciples and try to cause them to be unfaithful. Jesus used Peter’s pre-Christian name, Simon, perhaps because he was going to revert to some behaviours that were present before he began following Jesus. Note that Satan simply entered Judas (Luke 22:3) but here he is looking for permission or an opportunity to unsettle the disciples, similar to Job 1-2. Jesus’ prayer for Peter is not to keep him saved but rather to keep him from a spiritual defeat that would hinder his future service in ministry. Peter denied his future denial and declared that he was ready to follow Jesus to prison and to death. But Jesus told him that he would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed. Some temptations and trials may test our faith to the core. We can rest assured that our salvation is based in the Saviour, not our faithfulness, and know that if we are steadfast we will emerge strengthened for service.
Jesus reminded His disciples of a time when He sent them out without any provisions (Luke 9:3) and they never lacked anything. Now things were different. The disciples were going to face opposition and persecution. They needed provisions including personal protection. This couldn’t be a call to arms because if Jesus considered two swords enough for the twelve of them, that would not be enough to take on the Legions of Rome. It’s not easy to know exactly what Jesus meant with the reference to the swords and His closing words. It is possible that He was speaking metaphorically and when the disciples misunderstood Him, He responded bringing an end to the discussion (see Deu 3:6). Leaving the upper room, Jesus knew that Scripture had to be fulfilled that night and He was going to die with and for sinners (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus had been considered a popular teacher and was now going to be treated as a common criminal. As believers in Jesus, we can expect that we may be treated the same way and be prepared for that. The answer is not to trust in swords, but to move forward in the power of God’s word that is the true spiritual sword (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12).
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Writing on the Wall: Daniel 5