IN THE GARDEN

TAKE A SWORD

Read:  Luke 22: 35-53

            He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  Luke 22:36 NIV

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            It has been obvious up to this point that everything the Lord did had a purpose and was part of His Father's plan.  Just prior to entering the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer, He gave the apostles specific instruction to sell their cloaks and buy a sword.  They must have thought they were preparing to fight for the kingdom.  But Jesus had a plan they never could have guessed.  They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."  (Luke 22:38) 

         After a night of prayer in the garden; a contingency of soldiers and religious leaders came to arrest Jesus.  When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them (Peter) struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. (Luke 22:49-50) What happened next would show everyone that Jesus laid down his life for us - it wasn't taken from Him.

Lord, I am unable to comprehend the love that motivated You to give Your only begotten Son to make such a sacrifice.  Jesus said, "No more of this!" And He touched the man's ear and healed him.   Luke 22:51 NIV

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             "Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53)