Luk 22:35-37 | KingComments | STEP | The Lord’s care has always gone out to His disciples. He cares for a disciple who He knows will deny Him. He cared for them all when He sent them out. When He sent them out, He did so with the instruction to provide nothing and to go in confidence upon Him ( ). Now He asks them if they have suffered any lack in recent times. Without hesitation, it sounds wholeheartedly that they have lacked “nothing”. The Lord then announces a change in that policy. He will no longer be with them. This requires a different attitude from His disciples. Now they have to take the money belt, if they have one, to be able to take care for themselves. They do not have to rely on the support of others or that others will take care of them. His rejection will make the coldness of the climate in which they live increasingly noticeable. When they travel, they have to take that into account. Then let them take enough supplies with them. They will also need a sword to defend themselves. That will be even more important than a coat against the nightly cold. Essentially, however, it is not about literal provisions, but about spiritual provisions. This is evident from the Lord’s reaction to the offering of two swords ( ). It is about providing spiritual food and arming themselves for the spiritual warfare. The coat speaks of the protection by the Lord when He was with them, which will no longer be there that way, when He is no longer with them. This does not mean that He will no longer take care of them or protect them, but the situation will be completely different. We too must take into account that there may be changes in our circumstances. Do we obey the Lord’s warnings and provide ourselves with what is spiritually necessary? The Lord imposes that responsibility on us. All these precautions are the result of His rejection. He will be numbered with transgressors. This means that this perfectly obedient and dependent Man will be considered as someone who does not accept authority. The religious leaders in Israel will sue Him as a rebel and blasphemer and condemn Him. Thus will be fulfilled what is written ( ). What will happen to Him has consequences for His disciples. They belong to Him and will share in His fate. The disciples take the Lord’s words literally and offer Him two swords. They show by this that they have not understood the spirit of the Lord’s words. If He had meant it literally, what would two swords mean? As weapons to defend themselves these would have been totally inadequate. The Lord let it be and in His wisdom and love gives no further explanation. With the words “it is enough” He leaves the matter for what it is and doesn’t go into it any further.

‏ Luke 22:35-37

A New Situation – a Different Policy

The Lord’s care has always gone out to His disciples. He cares for a disciple who He knows will deny Him. He cared for them all when He sent them out. When He sent them out, He did so with the instruction to provide nothing and to go in confidence upon Him (Lk 9:3 ; Lk 10:4). Now He asks them if they have suffered any lack in recent times. Without hesitation, it sounds wholeheartedly that they have lacked “nothing”.

The Lord then announces a change in that policy. He will no longer be with them. This requires a different attitude from His disciples. Now they have to take the money belt, if they have one, to be able to take care for themselves. They do not have to rely on the support of others or that others will take care of them.

His rejection will make the coldness of the climate in which they live increasingly noticeable. When they travel, they have to take that into account. Then let them take enough supplies with them. They will also need a sword to defend themselves. That will be even more important than a coat against the nightly cold.

Essentially, however, it is not about literal provisions, but about spiritual provisions. This is evident from the Lord’s reaction to the offering of two swords (Lk 22:38). It is about providing spiritual food and arming themselves for the spiritual warfare. The coat speaks of the protection by the Lord when He was with them, which will no longer be there that way, when He is no longer with them.

This does not mean that He will no longer take care of them or protect them, but the situation will be completely different. We too must take into account that there may be changes in our circumstances. Do we obey the Lord’s warnings and provide ourselves with what is spiritually necessary? The Lord imposes that responsibility on us. All these precautions are the result of His rejection.

He will be numbered with transgressors. This means that this perfectly obedient and dependent Man will be considered as someone who does not accept authority. The religious leaders in Israel will sue Him as a rebel and blasphemer and condemn Him. Thus will be fulfilled what is written (Isa 53:12).

What will happen to Him has consequences for His disciples. They belong to Him and will share in His fate. The disciples take the Lord’s words literally and offer Him two swords. They show by this that they have not understood the spirit of the Lord’s words. If He had meant it literally, what would two swords mean? As weapons to defend themselves these would have been totally inadequate.

The Lord let it be and in His wisdom and love gives no further explanation. With the words “it is enough” He leaves the matter for what it is and doesn’t go into it any further.