SHEATH YOUR SWORD

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Text : Matthew 26:52&53 

But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

When Jesus was waylaid by Judas Iscariot and the multitude from the chief priests and elders of Israel with sword and staves, one of Jesus' disciples brought out his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus rebuked His disciple and fixed the high priest servant's ear. 

He made His disciples understand that whoever kills by the sword shall also perish with the sword (Matt 26:52). 
It is very important to note that you don't render evil for evil, rather you conquer evil with good deeds. (1Thess 5:15),

Romans 12:21 renders it thus: Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

It takes a person with great and huge inner strength from the Lord to overcome evil with good. Jesus had truly shown us a good example of how to seek peace with our enemies. 

In response to His disciple's reactions to the multitude that have come to arrest Him, Jesus made a very profound statement which we shall be considering in details. 

He said, "do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels?" 

This question leaves us with the thought on why Jesus was not  willing to defend himself. 

He simply chose not to defend himself on the following grounds:

1. He is meek: *One of the traits of meekness is refraining from defending yourself even when you have what it takes to. It is deciding to allow your sword remain in its SHEATH before an opposing fellow in order to keep Peace. It is deciding not to use your power when situations around you are compelling you to.* Jesus demonstrated all these by not defending Himself before the multitude that came for His arrest in Gethsemane.

2. He knows the right timing: *You will  desist from certain battles once you know the right timing and season you are in.

*Most battles are won by simply keeping your peace.* You must be very sensitive to discern the timing you are in. It will help you  know how to pick your fights and battles in life. You will know when to take up a sword and when to sheath it. 

Jesus surrendered Himself to  the multitude that came to arrest Him with sword and staves because He knew it was right for Him to surrender. 

He also knew ahead of time that He was about to encounter  temptation.  He therefore prepared Himself ahead by praying (Matthew 26:38-44). 

Anything short of surrendering at Gethsemane would have meant falling into the temptation of satan for Jesus. When you keep yourself in prayer and in tune with the Holy Spirit, you will be able to discern the time and situation that comes your way. Hence, you will always know what to do per time.

Bible Reading:

Matthew 26:50-56.

PRAYER FOCUS

1.Father God, I pray that you will help me to be meek like Jesus, that I may know how to follow peace with all men.

2.Father God, give me the wisdom to discern time and season, so as to know what to do per time in Jesus name.



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