What spirit is this
One of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Mark 14:47
Where did this come from. Jesus never used violence in His ministry. Why would one of the disciples think that Jesus would want them to draw their sword and fight with the officers that came to arrest Him. Sure, there was the time when Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple, but that wasn’t impulsive. He never resorted to physical confrontation. This was an act motivated by a different spirit than God’s.
In Luke’s account of this event, Jesus rebuked the disciple who drew the sword and said: “You do not know what spirit you are of. I didn’t come to take lives but to save them.” Peter gave in to a wrong spirit and that spirit led him to destruction.
It’s not a hard thing to do. In fact, in the world we live in today, it seems like everyone is angry with someone. There seems to be an over-riding spirit of rage and hate for those who are different than others. You can’t even drive down the highway without seeing people irritation and lacking grace for those who may make a mistake. But don’t we all make mistakes. Who among us is perfect?
What about you? What spirit are you of? Are you following the Spirit of God’s love and grace for others? Or are you of the spirit of judging who is right and wrong without and space for error. Be watchful for what side you choose because you are sure to mess up at some point in life too. Make sure you are giving plenty of grace to those around you now so that when you do err, that grace will come back to you multiplied.
Today I want to encourage you to be gracious. Not that Peter should have fully surrendered to the guards, but he should have been fully surrendered to Jesus and followed His lead. Jesus was on a mission and His disciples were there to follow Him. That’s is our part today too. We are to follow Jesus example of grace and love to all that we come up against. And in the day that an accuser comes, trust that Jesus has the answer for you to give and wait for His direction.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 14:43-52
43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”
45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.
47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?
49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.
51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him,
52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
The Daily Dose 