The air was thick with the smell of fear. The powers of darkness, armed and dangerous, converged on the little group in the Garden. Jesus knew His time had come. There was no turning back from the Cross. Suddenly Peter reached for his sword. This was his moment to lay it all down for the Master. He swung, he missed, and the high priest’s servant’s ear went flying.
“No more of this!” said Jesus. Just like that, He touched the servant’s ear and healed him. And then came the rebuke.
“Put your sword back in its place! Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt. 26:52-53).
I don’t need your sword, Peter. My Father is ready to send armies of angels down to deal with these rebels and set me free. But how would the scriptures ever be fulfilled? There is no other way.
Peter, stung by these words, would turn away and deny Christ. But a few weeks later, after Jesus gave His Life on the Cross, rose from the Dead, ascended to the Father’s right hand, and poured out the Holy Spirit, Peter stood and declared him to be Lord and Christ. 3000 people came to faith and the Church was born in a day.
Aren’t you glad that He doesn’t give up on us?