Fairly Feeble Forces (3) Two Swords

Jesus confirmed the Fairly Feeble Forces principle when he faced a threat of attack by hostile forces. He checked to see if his disciples were armed. Only two of his disciples had swords.

The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied (Luke 22:38).

The disciples had two swords. “Machaira” refers to a short sword or long knife that was better for defence than attack. It would have many uses in a Jewish household for cutting food and cloth, so it would not be surprising that the disciples had a couple of them.

Jesus said that two knives were enough for a dozen men, even during a crisis when the authorities were and hostile their lives were under threat. With two knives, twelve men could protect themselves from a small gang of robbers, but nothing more. They would not be capable of dealing with a bigger threat.

When Jesus said that two swords would be enough, he was applying the principle articulated in God’ law, that his people should be weak in weapons, so they would rely on the power of God. Jesus understood the importance of spiritual power.

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels (Matt 26:53)?

Jesus did not need physical weapons, because he trusted his Father. However, his disciples would not have the same level of faith, so he was happy for them to have a couple of weapons in case they came under attack. But he wanted them to be weak, so they would be forced to trust in God.

Once Jesus was confronted by a “crowd armed with swords and clubs” sent by the Jewish authorities (Mark 14:23), Jesus counted the cost, and decided that he would surrender to them, even though they had no legal authority to arrest him. He chose to go to his death, rather engage in a futile fight.

That principle has not changed. Jesus still prefers that his people trust in him for their protection, rather than relying on weapons of war. War does such terrible harm, it is usually better to suffer and die, than to go to war.