Maundy Thursday of Holy Week
47 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 His betrayer had given them a sign: “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!” 49 So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”
Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. 51 At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.”
Matthew 26:47-52 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The battle lines are drawn. On the one side, a mob (that included the leading priests, Temple police and Elders according to John’s gospel) come to arrest Jesus with swords and clubs. Jesus and his disciples (who have at least one sword) are on the other side–woefully outnumbered. A kiss of betrayal leads to swords being drawn and a severed ear. But Jesus immediately stops the military action.
One early church father observed that when Jesus told the disciple, “Put your sword away”, Jesus disarmed every Christian. In fact, until 175 AD, Roman soldiers who became Christians left their commission behind. Gradually though, the church took up arms once again. And once the emperor Constantine converted to Christianity (312 AD), the armies of Rome became the armies of God. Within 75 years, St. Augustine developed the “just war” theory and articulated rules of engagement for Christian armies.
“Christian Armies.” So many wars throughout the centuries have been waged in the name of Christ with the goal of Christian conversion of the conquered. How do you think Jesus feels about war in his name? What do you think using the sword in defense of Christian faith (or for the spread of the faith) really accomplishes? Is there an alternative? If so, what?
Each day (except Sundays) during Lent, we will post a Scripture for reflection on our theme, “Military Withdrawal.” Together, we will learn to walk in God’s ways of peacemaking and reconciliation. These posts are meant to stimulate conversation and interaction. Please post your thoughts and comments.
Tongue on Fire 