Contrast of Two Swords: Mark 14:46-50
“46) They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47) But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48) And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? 49) Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures.” 50) And they all left Him and fled. Mark 14:46-50
Each of the four gospel writers included the story of the arrest of Jesus. They all add rich details to the event and it is very insightful to consolidate the four accounts. But for our purpose, we are going to stick closely to the story as told by Mark and only borrow slightly from other accounts.
I want to talk today about the contrast between two swords. When the mob came to arrested Jesus, they were armed with swords and clubs. Peter reacted quickly and drew his sword and cut off the ear of the slave of the high priest. We can call this “the sword of the flesh.” He responded in kind with physical force. He trusted in his arm of flesh. He relied on his natural reaction. He wounded and cut off the ear of Malchus. (John 18:10) Things were about to escalate quickly.
Jesus responded quickly and ordered Peter to stand down. (Luke 22:51) Jesus used the “sword of the Spirit.” He quickly quoted Scripture. He then did the most unusual thing, He reached out and healed the ear of Malchus which Peter had cut off. The sword of the Spirit always brings healing. In fact, this was the last recorded miracle of healing Jesus performed before His crucifixion. He moved the whole ordeal into a different realm marked by love and compassion.
Let’s look at a quick contrast between the two swords. The sword of the flesh always strikes out and wounds. The sword of the Spirit always brings healing and restoration. The sword of the flesh is based on natural reason and reactions. The sword of the Spirit is based on Gods Word and ways. The sword of the flesh is defensive and often attacks its own mission field. The sword of the Spirit always resorts to the power of God and leaves the door wide open for the gospel.
This begs a final question from this story; “Why did John name the slave of the high priest?” (John 18:10) He used his name in a way that indicates the readers were aquatinted with him. Could it be that the compassion and healing touch of Jesus planted the gospel for his salvation. Granted, it is mere speculation, but the sword of the flesh always hinders the gospel, while the sword of the Spirit always advances the gospel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“46) They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47) But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48) And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? 49) Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures.” 50) And they all left Him and fled. Mark 14:46-50
Each of the four gospel writers included the story of the arrest of Jesus. They all add rich details to the event and it is very insightful to consolidate the four accounts. But for our purpose, we are going to stick closely to the story as told by Mark and only borrow slightly from other accounts.
I want to talk today about the contrast between two swords. When the mob came to arrested Jesus, they were armed with swords and clubs. Peter reacted quickly and drew his sword and cut off the ear of the slave of the high priest. We can call this “the sword of the flesh.” He responded in kind with physical force. He trusted in his arm of flesh. He relied on his natural reaction. He wounded and cut off the ear of Malchus. (John 18:10) Things were about to escalate quickly.
Jesus responded quickly and ordered Peter to stand down. (Luke 22:51) Jesus used the “sword of the Spirit.” He quickly quoted Scripture. He then did the most unusual thing, He reached out and healed the ear of Malchus which Peter had cut off. The sword of the Spirit always brings healing. In fact, this was the last recorded miracle of healing Jesus performed before His crucifixion. He moved the whole ordeal into a different realm marked by love and compassion.
Let’s look at a quick contrast between the two swords. The sword of the flesh always strikes out and wounds. The sword of the Spirit always brings healing and restoration. The sword of the flesh is based on natural reason and reactions. The sword of the Spirit is based on Gods Word and ways. The sword of the flesh is defensive and often attacks its own mission field. The sword of the Spirit always resorts to the power of God and leaves the door wide open for the gospel.
This begs a final question from this story; “Why did John name the slave of the high priest?” (John 18:10) He used his name in a way that indicates the readers were aquatinted with him. Could it be that the compassion and healing touch of Jesus planted the gospel for his salvation. Granted, it is mere speculation, but the sword of the flesh always hinders the gospel, while the sword of the Spirit always advances the gospel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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