Why the Swords? (Luke 22:31-38)

Reformed & Expository Preaching

Preparing for Turmoil in the Kingdom

In times of uncertainty and struggle, preparation is essential, much like keeping winter gear in vehicles during Montana summers to anticipate sudden snowstorms even at unexpected times. Jesus does not advocate for carelessness but acknowledges human responsibility in facing dangers. However, Jesus' words in Luke present a seeming contradiction. On the one hand, He instructs His disciples to acquire swords for readiness amid unrest and war. Then, on the other hand, He is disturbed when they produce two swords. Ultimately, the text invites reflection on the deeper complexity of God's kingdom amidst the fallen world. We want to trust in our tangible weapons, but fail to see the deeper spiritual threats that surround us.

The Ironic Bravado of the Disciples

The disciples, echoing the Pharisees' positioning for power, argue about their significance during the last supper. Christ directly addresses Peter, implying that he is the boastful leader. Jesus warns Peter that Satan demanded to sift Peter. Peter boasts of his fleshly strength, and commitment to Christ. He singles out Peter (addressed as Simon Simon) with a warning: Satan has demanded to sift him like wheat, evoking Job's trials. This underscores Peter's reliance on his own strength and bravado, contrasting with the true foundation of the apostolic witness. Peter's declaration of readiness for prison or death reveals his overconfidence, which Jesus prophesies will lead to three denials before the rooster crows, a verifiable sign of His prophetic authority. Christ is highlighting the call to perseverance through trials rather than triumphs, reminding them that the kingdom involves hardships, not just glory.

The Certain Power of Prayer and Faith

Christ’s resolution is surprising. He says, "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." This prayer is no mere cliché but a powerful defense against Satan's accusations, demonstrating the power of the weapon given to believers. Faith is portrayed as the instrument for receiving Christ's blessings and redemption, providing otherworldly strength beyond human effort. Though Peter will fall, Jesus assures his return and role will serve to strengthen others. We praise God for he preserves us while we persevere in his power. The Canons of Dordt Head 5 Articles 5-8 warn that sin can grieve the Spirit and wound the conscience, but the Spirit will preserve God’s people and restore them to God's favor. We rest in the assurance that true strength comes from weakness and dependence on Christ, rather than our self-reliance or the weapons of this age..

The Ironic Banter and Spiritual Reality

In a moment of ironic banter, Jesus recalls the disciples' earlier mission where they lacked nothing, contrasting it with future turmoil requiring metaphorical "swords"—symbols of conflict and threat in the kingdom's ebbs and flows, as seen in Acts. When the disciples literally produce two swords, Jesus dismisses it with "Enough!" not as sufficiency, but to end their misunderstanding of the true danger that awaits them. The battle is spiritual, against forces like Satan, not flesh and blood. Fulfilling Isaiah 53:12, Jesus is numbered among transgressors, suffering unjustly while interceding eternally for His people. The sermon concludes that Christ's heavenly intercession sustains believers amid persecution's subtleties. We are exhorted to cling to Him as we persevere in grace, even in comfortable times where faith's value might be undervalued. Ultimately, we rest in knowing that we will be preserved. Our great priest lives to make intercession for his people. We are more than conquers in his strength rather than our own.