“While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus responded and said, ‘Stop! No more of this.’” (Luke 222:47-51a NASB)
Tell this to emphatically to your children, your children’s children, your nephews and nieces, your co-workers and your companions, and your wife or your husband: “Stop! No more of this!”
To be equipped to respond readily to questions by the hearing recipient of your words, “Stop! No more of this,” read the passage above. Yes, review the story of Judas’ betrayal of the Master. Look at behavior of the crowd that came cloaked in anonymity to arrest Jesus. Definitely look at the action of Peter, a violent action which he thought, wrongly so, was the right action, but most of all focus on Jesus’ words that averted an acceleration of violence in the garden. Jesus words: “Stop! No more of this.”
Violent behavior is never the answer. Violent behavior is vehemently opposed to our faith and one of our favorite claims, that in time, “the Lord will work it out.” Violent behavior, at any level, violates our often-made declaration where we proclaim, “I put it all in His hands!” Now while you are thinking about violence in terms of that which starts off the daily news, reporting of murders and masses of people trying to take matters into their own hands, know that violence exists on a continuum that ranges from put downs to murder! It, violent behavior, also includes arguments, insults, assaults verbally and assaults physically, trash-talking, and the fighting that follows trash-talking and taunting. Don’t you remember how disagreements in the past, speaking of years ago, led to one person’s defying words, “I dare you to knock this stick off my shoulder?” And once knocked off, the fighting followed. Violent behavior! Watch out for it! Make sure your healthy debates do not turn into to disaster, danger, or the death of a relationship. Make sure your mouth does not start trouble that can last for a lifetime. Don’t worry, I will do the same.
Today, I not only remind you of Jesus’ words in the title and the opening verse, but I also want to refresh your memory of Jesus words revealed in the closing verse too. Read them! React to them in a positive way! Be part of a revival of peace in this world! Have a serene Friday and Saturday, for sure, at the least! Be blessed!
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King