Tag: sword

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Who’s side are you on, anyway?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Joshua 5.

I listen with interest as people try to get Jesus to take sides. Some of the faithful will slot Jesus as a liberal. Others label him conservative. Partisan politics plays tug-of-war with Jesus, trying to pull him over to their side. Capitalist or socialist? It depends on who you talk to. Protestant or Catholic? Since he was Jewish, I guess that doesn’t work.

It’s easy to take the words of Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” to assume that God is on my side. That is, he’s behind me and supports my cause.

When Joshua encounters a man with a sword in Joshua 5:13, he naturally asks, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” Friend or foe? A threat or an ally? Are we fighting each other or fighting side-by-side?

The man answers, “No.” He goes on to explain, “I am the commander of the army of the Lord” (5:14). Suddenly, Joshua’s question is irrelevant. Falling to the ground, he worships. The commander says, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy” (v15). This is Joshua’s burning bush moment. He’s in the presence of the Lord.

The question becomes, “Who’s side are you on, Joshua?” Not long before this, in Deuteronomy, Moses laid outlined blessings and curses, encouraging the people to choose life, to love the Lord your God, obey his voice, and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:19,20).

Jesus doesn’t take sides. He calls us to be on his side.

Posted in Lent devotions

Fighting for Jesus

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Scenes from the passion” Lent devotion for Tuesday, March 9, 2021.

But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. (Mark 14:47)

Judas has led the mob, armed with swords and clubs, to Gethsemane, where Jesus has been praying. He kisses Jesus and they seize him. Suddenly, things get rough. Someone starts swinging a sword, a voice cries out in pain, blood spurts, an ear goes flying, and we have the first casualty of the passion.

Mark’s description is brief and to the point, as it usually is. Other gospels fill in the details. But I’ve still got a lot of questions. First of all, some of the disciples were “carrying?” When Jesus had sent out his disciples to do ministry, he told them not to take food, luggage, money, not even extra clothing. But he never mentioned weapons, so I guess they though that was OK.

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