Redeemed – Reflecting Swords
The prophet Simeon prophesied over baby Jesus to Mary.
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed— and a Sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul — So That,
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35 AMP
The Sword of deep sorrrow Simeon referred to was the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus for us all.
Just prior to His crucifixion Jesus is telling His disciples to sell their clothes and buy a sword.
Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They said, “Nothing.” Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don’t own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one. I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in relation to me: And he was counted among criminals. Indeed, what’s written about me is nearing completion.” They said to him, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “Enough of that!” Luke 22:35-38 CEB
Jesus and the disciples, lol, often times they lacked understanding. He was such a patient teacher. In mentoring the disciples, his intent was to forge them as swords, fashioned after Himself, ones that could administer wisdom with God’s justice, rooted in hesed, His love, giving of themselves in every way for the benefit of others.
Jesus is not calling us to take to arms. He is calling us to Himself, His own Path, living out the Word in such a way as to reveal the hearts of men, convicting and reproving, unbelief, that all might come to understand.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth;
I HAVE not COME To BRING peace, but A SWORD [Of DIVISION BETWEEN BELIEF AND UNBELIEF].
For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his [own] household [when one believes, and another does not]. “ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And He WHO DOES NOT take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and FOLLOW ME [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] IS NOT WORTHY OF ME. Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. Matthew 10:34-39 AMP
We see King Solomon also ask God for wisdom and a discerning mind to govern the people.
“But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”
In one such case, Solomon requests a sword, So That, the wisdom and great love of God might be displayed.
“Get me a sword!” They brought a sword to the king. Then the king said, “Cut the living child in two! Give half to one woman and half to the other woman.”
Yes, it was, a Sword of great sorrow for the true mom, who pled to give up rights to her half of the child so her son might live. His life redeemed for the future. For the witnesses, it established in their hearts the Wisdom of their king.
“Then the woman whose son was still alive said to the king, “Please, Your Majesty, give her the living child; please don’t kill him,” for she had great love for her son. But the other woman said, “If I can’t have him, neither will you. Cut the child in half.” Then the king answered, “Give the first woman the living newborn. Don’t kill him. She is his mother.” All Israel heard about the judgment that the king made. Their respect for the king grew because they saw that God’s wisdom was in him so he could execute justice. 1 Kings 3:8-9, 24-28 CEB
Picking up a Sword for Jesus, a sword of great sorrow, is on the same lines as being willing to carrying your own cross for the sake of the Kingdom. The Sword is a necessary piece of one’s weaponry. It’s one’s reflection of the Word and self-sacrifice.
May I encourage you then, be made in the image of Jesus, Reflect Him with your Sword.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself Complete, Confirm, Strengthen, and Establish you [making you what you ought to be]. To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11 AMP
For,
Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “For Your sake we are put to death all day long; We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 AMP
To God be the Glory!
… we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while [by taking on the limitations of humanity], crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering of death, so that by the grace of God [extended to sinners] He might experience death for [the sins of] everyone. For it was fitting for God [that is, an act worthy of His divine nature] that He, for whose sake are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the author and founder of their salvation perfect through suffering [bringing to maturity the human experience necessary for Him to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest]. Both Jesus who sanctifies and those who are sanctified [that is, spiritually transformed, made holy, and set apart for God’s purpose] are all from one Father; for this reason, He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
saying,
“I will declare Your (the Father’s) name to My brethren (believers), In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” And again [ He says], “My trust and confident hope will be placed in Him.” And again, “Here I am, I and the children whom God has given Me.” Hebrews 2:9-13 AMP
Praise and Glory, at last,
He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has kept Me hidden; And He has made Me a sharpened arrow, In His quiver He has hidden Me. Isaiah 49:2 AMP
Strap Your sword on Your thigh, O mighty One, In Your splendor and Your majesty! And in Your majesty ride on triumphantly for the cause of truth and humility and righteousness; Let Your right-hand guide You to awesome things. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. Psalms 45:3-4, 6 AMP