John 18:11a – Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away!" (NIV)

I've been thinking about Peter's experience that night in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was betrayed. Suddenly, a crowd of well-armed military and religious authorities appears. Who wouldn't be intimidated by that formidable display of might and power! Peter impulsively swings his sword; Jesus makes him put it away — wisely. Peter's swing is pathetic. He misses the man's head and slices off an ear. Jesus quickly restores it, preventing needless retaliation.

What about our own swords, those weapons that we deploy when we feel a challenge to our cause, whatever that may be? I don't mean literal weapons, but literary weapons: our words. We might deploy words which are combative or vindictive, or we might use wise and persuasive words. Our words may quote genuine authorities, or, at least, they may reinforce our position. Yet, our verbal efforts may be as useless as Peter's pathetic sword. They do little more than cut off ears, and our words go unheard. The dividing walls remain and are possibly reinforced.

Isn't that what we're witnessing in our increasingly polarized society? Divisiveness pervades our lives; we're constantly urged to take sides. The endless verbal combatting merely leaves a trail of collateral damage which neither sword nor word can restore.

On that night of betrayal, Jesus deployed neither, yet He had a remarkable influence on His captors:

John 18:6 – When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (NIV)

Imagine the commotion! Yet, to me, Jesus' healing miracle was more remarkable, even if it were barely noticed. By restoring the severed ear of the high priest's servant, Jesus reversed the damage inflicted by His own follower! Jesus didn't take sides; He was good to His enemy.

Romans 12:21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

Peter's sword failed to do good! He was overcome with fear, as were all of the disciples.

I recognize some of that "Peter" in me. Perhaps, you see some in yourself, too. Thankfully, as for Peter, trials and temptations help us to accept the futility of our pathetic swords and the wisdom of Christ's command. We can hear Him saying, "My child, put down your sword. My cause is not advanced through human victories, but through a demonstration of the Spirit's power."

Zechariah 4:6b – "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. (NIV)

The Spirit empowered Jesus to heal the ear. How amazing! What a surprise for that man who came expecting confrontation with a dissonant rebel. Perhaps that night, his spiritual ears began to open. I wonder if fifty days later, at Pentecost, he encountered Jesus again — as the exalted One Who forgives sin. I wonder if he encountered Peter again, wielding a different sword — not his pathetic sword, but God's: the sword of the Spirit.

God's Spirit: He is our only hope!

Prayer: Lord, train us to appreciate opposition as Your providential means of maturing our trust in You. Teach us to wait on Your Spirit. Prepare us to be instruments of Your forgiveness through Christ — to demolish dividing walls and heal wounds, including those inflicted through our own pathetic swords. Amen.

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About the author:

Diane Eaton <dianeeaton6@gmail.com>
Paisley, Ontario, Canada
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