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36He 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. 37It 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 fulfillment." 38The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.


Excellent question Boanerges and I for one am very happy that you brought it up. I am going to put these few versus to memory.

Here I believe we find Jesus preparing the 11 ( Judas is thought to have already left them to get the authorities ) for what is ahead of them. He is now telling them that they will need their purses and swords. He has up to this point protected them and brought them up carefully. But now he will soon be departing and they will be responsible for protecting themselves against all kind of wickedness. But we must not think, imho, that this is a lesson in self-reliance, it is not. I believe we are to know by reading scripture that we are to pray and rely on God to provide for us, to protect us, guide us and comfort us. But we must do it with a purse and a sword.

I was in a bible study a while back and the question was asked, "If a stranger breaks into your home, what will you do?" I answered that I would say a short prayer in my head and grab a heavy object and try to defend myself and my family. But there was one man there that said he would get on his knees and pray for divine intervention. ( He was also pentecostal and charismatic )

Here is where we all might have different opinions. I for one, believe in God's providence. I hold to a sovereign God and I pray for His blessings and intervention on mine and my families life. But I believe that we are also responsible agents.

In Sinclair Ferguson's book "The Christian Life" both he and Packer talk about our "experience" being a valid part of our growth and learning. Well it has been my experience, being past military, that there are many good Christians who have taken up arms to protect our country. So I tend to get a little ruffled at those who take a very passive stance when it comes to conflict.

In these passages, I believe Jesus is telling them that no longer will they be able to get by without any money or personal protection. The world at that time was by far safe for travel. You had to protect yourself against wild dogs, snakes, bandits and so forth. To travel without a sword would have been pretty foolish. So we see here that it is logical for us while we are in our earthly tents to do the things we have to do to survive. Whether it be to carry a pistol on the range, a knife in the city or an M4 in the streets of some far off mid-eastern country.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16