It Is Enough

Here we see the final moments of Jesus. It’s late in the evening on the Thursday of the Passover before his death. Jesus spoke to the disciples before they went to the garden to pray. “And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 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. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.” (Luke 35-38)

When he sent them out before, he told them to take nothing with them. Now he’s telling them to take it all even to sell their outer garment and buy a sword if they didn’t have one. The 11 disciples didn’t know what it all meant. They looked around and saw two swords. Jesus said “it is enough.”  Jesus was going to use the swords to teach them a valuable lesson.

From the upper room to their usual place to pray they had never needed swords before. They also saw no need for the purse (suitcase) or scrip (wallet). Jesus knew the disciples would flee; he knew what they would need in the next few days. Time was growing short. Jesus asked them to take inventory. It’s time for us to do the same.  Each day we wake up to altered conditions in the world. They can be subtle changes. So far, we are largely unaffected. But one morning, it will change. It will affect us.

Judas had it planned out. He took the money to show them where Jesus would be. Jesus knew this, but the disciples did not. He was making them ready for the enemy that was to come. When the Pharisees came to Jesus with their weapons, he asked them why they came with swords and staves. He said it was “their hour, and the power of darkness.” All our hours are with us. Jesus tells us to check things. Have we packed our bags? Are we ready to face the changes that are and will be taking place? There will be persecution and hardship. We may have to put our faith on the line for Jesus. In a moment when we think not, Jesus is coming, and in a moment when we think not the devil will come at us with everything he’s got. Do you have adequate protection? Between eleven men and one Savior two swords were enough.

The disciples saw no reason to take the swords to the garden. Little did they know that this was a critical hour. Jesus has given us help in the critical hours we face today. We can’t predict what will come. We need to have enough to defend ourselves. What we have may not compare to weapons of the devil, but what we do have with Jesus is plenty. It is enough.

Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to take a sword and knife or a sword and dagger or a sword and a club. He told them to take two of the same thing. We have the word of God that we can see and hold in our hands. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The sword of the Spirit divides and cuts. We have the garment of salvation and the sword of the word so that we can stand in the evil days ahead. God’s word may not seem sufficient, but it will take care of all the enemies.  It is not a sword of hate, maliciousness, or bigotry. It is the sword of the Lord. We are to carry it in our hands , at our side , and in our heart.  Read it but not out of habit. Study it to learn. In the midnight hour we will find that we need it’s instruction and power. The enemy will surprise us, but with the sword of the Lord we have enough. However it is no good to have a sword in our hand if we don’t know how to use it. The Word is miscarried today. It is read but not practiced. It’s heard but not learned. Are you familiar enough with it to know how to use it? Do you know how to use our weapon? With responsible use we will hurt the enemy and not ourselves. How familiar are you with your sword? How ready are you to use it? Where is your sword?

Peter carried one of the swords. When the mob came to the garden to get Jesus, the disciples were afraid. “When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”  Pete didn’t wait for the answer but took his sword and cut off the ear of one of the servants. Jesus said it is enough. Two swords were not protection against this army. They were never out numbered though because the Lord was there. We are never out numbered because the Lord is with us. A way will be made.

After Peter cut the man’s ear off, Jesus reached for it and put it back on. The same word that cuts, divides and hurts also heals. The word of the Lord had to cut and divide our sins from us. It had to trim us up. The word does a miracle in our life.

Miracles can still happen. People can still be saved. We can still make a difference. Jesus asked how many swords they had. They had two. With the sword of the word of God where it should be, in our hands at our side and in our heart, we can use it when we are surrounded by the enemies of this world. The victory in our world depends on how close the word is to us.

Is it enough? How many weapons? It’s the same sword in the heart and the hand. It is enough if we know how to use it. We need the practice for the reality of tomorrow. The sword is enough.