When the Church or its leaders use the wrong weapon it sets itself up against the purposes of God.
With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26 v 51-54)
John’s gospel reveals the servants name was Malchus and that it was Peter who chopped off his ear with his sword (a dagger).
The enemy comes in the darkness and the ‘Church’ rises in the chaos and the confusion. We don’t know what the enemy is doing but we are rattled. We didn’t expect this attack, it feels like an enemy within for this crowd are not the Gentile soldiers, but we are ready. Our daggers are at hand. We have Jesus to protect, our Messiah. We have to stand for true righteousness. The manipulative kiss was unbelievable. But here now comes the pressure of the enemy. So we swing out. We react. We push back.
We hurt because we are hurt.
But wait. Here comes Jesus.
In the darkness He heals the enemies of the kingdom. Jesus heals what the Church harmed.
Jesus doesn’t need a sword. He still doesn’t.
Missions Paul 