John 18 New International Version (NIV)
18 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
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2 [/SUP]Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. [SUP]
3 [/SUP]So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
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4 [/SUP]Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
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5 [/SUP]“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) [SUP]
6 [/SUP]When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
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7 [/SUP]Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
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8 [/SUP]Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” [SUP]
9 [/SUP]This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[SUP]
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10 [/SUP]
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
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11 [/SUP]
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
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12 [/SUP]Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him [SUP]
13 [/SUP]and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. [SUP]
14 [/SUP]Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
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1. Peter HAD a sword. He walked with Jesus. Do you believe Jesus, Who knows the hearts and minds of men, did not know he had it?
2. Note that Jesus did not tell Peter to get rid of the sword or chastise him for having it. He simply told him to
put it away, as it was not to be used
at that particular time.
We sometimes forget that the God of the NT is the same God of the OT. What about the army Deborah led, Gideon's army, David vs Goliath, etc.?
There is a great truth in Isaiah 57 regarding death occurring in order to prevent a greater evil. When we talk about people who are bent on doing great harm and evil being destroyed, it seems as if those who go up against them are doing something evil as well. We call it self-defense/war (which, at the base of each, is really the same thing). But, when you think about it, evil breeds more evil, doesn't it? Always.. When we do everything we can to stamp out such evil, we are preventing greater evil.
And, yes, there is a cost. People die. Innocent people die in the wake of it. Not just soldiers. But we need to remember that if we do nothing, more and more innocent people will die. It is something that those who stand on the wall that protects us all from harm (both domestically and abroad) consider every.single.day. I may die today. One of my buddies may die today. But, if we do nothing, far more will die tomorrow upon the altar of evil.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."