Peter: An Inconsistent Disciple Series

Gethsemane was a secluded garden just outside Jerusalem that Jesus was free to use for prayer and meditation. While they were there praying, Judas came sneaking in, leading a gang of soldiers. He identified Jesus in the darkness with a kiss.

Matthew 26: 50b – 54 reads, “Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him. 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.”

John’s gospel identifies Simon Peter as the one who drew the sword. Don’t flash forward and chastise Peter for being foolish, impulsive, and violent. Put yourself in Peter’s sandals for a moment.

Keep in mind that a few hours before Jesus had given them this surprising counsel, "…if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." In Luke 22:36 it says, "The disciples said, ‘See, Lord, here are two swords.’ ‘That is enough,’ He replied."

Some think Jesus was urging His disciples to carry a sword to provide security for their families for the next several days. Maybe He was using a figure of speech, like a coach might say, “Be ready to go to war.”

Peter took it literally and carried a concealed weapon into the place of prayer. When the soldiers came he drew the sword out and attacked. I wonder why, with all the soldiers around, Peter attacks the High Priest’s servant? Was he the closest? The mouthiest? The weakest?

Whatever the reason, Peter whacks off a part of the guy’s ear. Peter wasn’t like Zorro, flicking the end of his sword and deliberately cutting off the guy’s earlobe to warn him. He takes a roundhouse swing attempting to decapitate the guy. But the servant ducks and Peter almost misses completely.

Evidently when it came to combat, Peter was a good fisherman! Peter’s action was overzealous and ineffective, but he was doing exactly what he told the Lord he was going to do. He’d insisted, “I’m willing to die for you.” He draws one lone sword against scores of heavily armed soldiers.

Peter would have been dead in seconds if Jesus hadn’t immediately intervened. Jesus miraculously healed the servant’s ear and then said, “Simon, put up the sword. You live by the sword you’ll die by the sword. I could call ten thousand angels to fight for me. And they’re good, Peter. I don’t need your help right now. Remember the Scriptures must be fulfilled that predict it’s to happen in this way."

I like Simon Peter for doing something, even if it was wrong. Sometimes we need to take action. Now I believe that there’s a time to turn the other cheek: when you are personally offended or insulted. But there’s also a time to stand up and fight the good fight of faith or fight for the rights of the oppressed.

2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” But we do fight. I was impressed with an African American woman I saw on a television special some time ago. I didn’t catch her name and couldn’t track it down, but she is fighting vulgar hip-hop music. She’s young, attractive, articulate, and loving, but she’s tenacious and determined. “Enough of foul language, enough of exploiting women in videos, enough of encouraging drugs, and enough of degrading the culture,” she says.