Luke 22:35 says, "And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing." This is Jesus talking to his disciples. "Then he said unto them, But now,..." This is a big But now, so pay attention because Jesus is getting his disciples ready to minister on this earth without him. These are final instructions before he heads to the cross for our sins. "But now, He that hath a purse, let him take it,..." Keep your money with you. "...And likewise his scrip:..." That is your Bible. "...And he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." (Luke 22:36) That's right, your weapon is more important than the clothes on your back. "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me,..." Jesus is speaking of his own death. He said, "Now look, I have to die, but you don't". "... And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end." (Luke 22:37) That's his earthly ministry.
Now liberals will always say that the word sword refers to the Bible, but it obviously doesn't as he mentions this in scrip.
So why would Jesus want us to sell the shirt off our back to buy a weapon?
I see your responses are all over the board and you contradict yourself in your replies and you are usually incorrect, but I'll be happy to try and help you grasp the true Christian foundation that supports "pro-life" movements as well as killing people in war.
FRegards,
DocRock
So why would Jesus want us to sell the shirt off our back to buy a weapon?
One possibility is that in those times, a sword was not just for war, it was a tool for personal protection against the elements, etc. and almost all men carried them.
Also, having a sword and using it for war is not the same thing. In some cases, conflicts and even wars are prevented because the opponent is well armed and it is decided that the possible consequences are not worth the fight.
Because we value the right to bear arms does not necessarily mean that we believe in waging war.
There are probably other possibilities but we have no explanation from Jesus regarding what exactly that meant so you can believe what you want. The totality of Jesus' teachings lead me to believe he did not condone war.