Putting Away the Sword

The one called "Prince of Peace" said, at the beginning of the violent conclusion to his earthly life, "Put your sword back where it belongs.  For everyone who takes up the sword will be done in by the sword" (Matthew 26:52, Scholars Version).  These were the last words that he spoke to his disciples before his crucifixion.  It was his final teaching, if you will.  He then faced betrayal, ridicule, scorn, violence and crucifixion - never once resisting, defending or retaliating.  Even unto his death he was showing the Way. 

During the season of Advent we are preparing our hearts and minds for the arrival of the Prince of Peace - the one who incarnated the Way, the Truth and the Life.  What was this Way that Jesus taught and lived?  What does his final teaching to his disciples reveal to us regarding this Way?  In our times and in our lives, what would it mean for us to put away our swords?

According to many Biblical scholars, the summation of Jesus' teachings can be found in chapters 5-7 of Matthew's Gospel - traditionally called "The Sermon on the Mount."  It is here that we are told that those who work for peace are known as God's children.  It is here that Gandhi found his inspiration for the peace movement that he led in India.  It is here that Jesus tells us to not react violently against the evildoer and to love our enemies.  Through this sermon on a mountaintop, Jesus is revealing to us the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.  He is a "new Moses," instructing all who can hear on a "new Way."

In the first three verses of chapter 7, Jesus says to us, "Don't pass judgment, so you won't be judged.  Don't forget, the judgment you hand out will be the judgment you get back.  And the standard you apply will be the standard applied to you" (SV).  Compare these words to the ones quoted at the beginning of this meditation:  "Put your sword back where it belongs.  For everyone who takes up the sword will be done in by the sword."  Jesus seems to be telling us the same thing in these two passages.  Violence begets violence; hatred begets hatred; judgment begets judgment.

I am reminded of the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, "To the degree that I harm my brother, no matter what he is doing to me, to that extent I am harming myself."  To the degree that I judge my brother or sister, to that extent I am judging myself.  To the degree that I inflict violence in any way (thought, word or deed), to that extent I am my own victim.  The sword that I think I am using against my fellow human being is being plunged into my own heart.  The sword of violence, the sword of judgment, does me in. 

During this season of Advent, during every season of our lives, may we heed Jesus' words.  May we put away our swords.  May we accept our function as "peacemakers."  May we practice forgiveness and reconciliation.  May we all follow Jesus' Way, Jesus' Truth and Jesus' Life.

Dear God, please give me the courage, the heart, to walk in the Way of Jesus.

Give me the courage to love in the face of hate,

to forgive in the face of what seems unforgivable,

and to put away the sword that I might know the peace that is my birthright.

Amen