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To: rjsimmon; NYer; ArrogantBustard
In context (Luke 22), that verse has a somewhat different feel:

"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.

"It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.

"The disciples said, See, Lord, here are two swords. That is enough, he replied."

Seriously, it doesn't look like infantry combat was what He had in mind. Twelve verses later, the action picks up:

"When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, Lord, should we strike with our swords?

"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

"But Jesus answered, No more of this! And he touched the man's ear and healed him."

Strange Messiah, that: at two swords, he says "Enough" -- and at one stroke He says, "No more."

Simone Weil perhaps had an insight here:

"Those who take up the sword
will perish by the sword.
And those who do not take up the sword
will perish by the Cross."

Servant of God, Paulos Faraj Rahho -- pray for us.

12 posted on 03/14/2008 11:08:27 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All.)
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To: Mrs. Don-o
The disciples said, See, Lord, here are two swords. That is enough, he replied.”

Seriously, it doesn't look like infantry combat was what He had in mind. Twelve verses later, the action picks up:

“When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, Lord, should we strike with our swords?

“And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
“But Jesus answered, No more of this! And he touched the man's ear and healed him.”
Strange Messiah, that: at two swords, he says “Enough” — and at one stroke He says, “No more.”

Jesus was fulfilling prophesy here. They couldn't fight in this case because he it was written that he would be arrested, tried, and crucified.

But, if, we had done nothing in WWI, WWII and now, there would not be one Christian left alive. It is written that the gospel would be preached all over the world and that everyone would have a chance to hear it. That would have not been possible, IMO, if we would not have fought for our families and our country.

15 posted on 03/14/2008 11:40:42 AM PDT by Bitsy
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To: Mrs. Don-o
Mrs. Don-o

The context is quite clear. Believers will have to fight to defend themselves against those who would seek to kill us for our faith. Jesus did not defend himself because he was the lamb to be slain for our sin. Blameless and without spot.

We however, can (and should) carry the sword. This is not to force the gospel, but to defend it. The ratio is quite certain, 2 of the 12 were armed, with the strongest among them (at least in Peter's case) being the ones to bear arms. Jesus knew who had weapons and walked with them every day for more than 3 years.

Strange Messiah, that: at two swords, he says "Enough" -- and at one stroke He says, "No more."

Nothing strange about it. He was not to be charged with assaulting the Temple guards in any way, so as to remain blameless.
16 posted on 03/14/2008 12:03:34 PM PDT by rjsimmon
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