Christ Died For Those That Just Don't Get It

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Christ Died for People that Didn’t Get It

By Rev. Greg Johnson

Luke 22:35-38

I’ve been reading and meditating this week on all of the Scripture pertaining to the Passion Week which is the days that include Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, His crucifixion and His resurrection. In studying the Scriptures, I’ve come to the conclusion that Christ died for people that just didn’t get it.

On the way to the cross and at the conclusion of Jesus’ last supper with His followers on the night He was arrested, He asks them a question. (Luke 22:35-38 NIV) "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. {36} He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. {37} It is written: ’And he was numbered with the transgressors’ ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." {38} The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied."

Things are beginning to change for the first followers of Christ and they just don’t get it. In this paragraph of Scripture, Jesus is trying to explain the change that is about to take place to them. For the three years that they have been following Christ, everything has been pretty nice. In every town they go into, they are the popular ones because of the One they follow. When Jesus sent them out on their own, they were well taken care of because of the One they followed. People were hospitable and accommodating to them. But now the One they follow is going to be arrested and crucified. It would no longer be popular to follow Him and would even be life threatening. Things are changing for them.

What’s up with the swords? Jesus tells them to sell their coat and buy one if they don’t have one already. What is Jesus saying? Well, Jesus is a peacemaker and He is the Prince of Peace, so we know that He is not referring to violence or war. In Jesus’ day a sword would be of use for purposes of protection against wild beasts and not necessary for battle. At the arrest of Jesus, one of His followers was quick to use the sword, but notice Jesus’ reaction to such violence. (Luke 22:49-51 NIV) "When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" {50} And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. {51} But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man’s ear and healed him."

(Luke 22:38 NIV) "The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied." There were two swords for twelve men. Would you agree that they were not well armed to do battle for their master? Jesus wasn’t saying “that is enough” in the sense of “that is all you need.” He didn’t have time to go into a long discussion that night as He headed toward the cross. His disciples didn’t get it, so Jesus simply closed the conversation. He had a mission to complete. One day, they would get it.

The key verse is (Luke 22:37 NIV) "It is written: ’And he was numbered with the transgressors’ ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." Jesus is referring to the prophecy concerning Him found in Isaiah 53:12. A transgressor is a sinner. Jesus just concluded His last supper with those He had been training for ministry the last three years. In just a matter of time, that same night, He would be arrested. The next day, He would be tortured and crucified, and although He had access to the greatest army in heaven that would have defeated the entire Roman Empire at His request, He would not call upon His angelic warriors for help. Instead, He would go as a lamb to the slaughter and not even open His mouth. Jesus did this for the transgressor; the sinner.

Christ died for these first followers that just didn’t get it. One of them betrayed Him. One of them denied knowing Him. They all ran for their life when they witnessed what was done to Jesus. You know what is even more amazing? Christ died for the one’s that tortured Him violently and nailed Him to an old rugged cross. You know what is even more amazing than that? Christ died for me. There have been a lot of times that I just didn’t get it. There have been a lot of times that I have failed Him. But, He died for me. And He died for you. Oh what a Savior!