Draw The Sword, Draw Blood.

"Jesus disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, 'Lord shall we strike with the sword?' and one of them struck the high priests servant and cut off his right ear.
But Jesus said in reply, "Stop! No more of this! Then He touched the servant's ear and healed him."
-  Luke 22:49-51

Things have gotten out of hand.
First one of the disciples leads a hostile group to seize Jesus and take him away under force.
Then another disciple pulls a sword and cuts off someone's ear!


In the previous 21 chapters of Luke's gospel, nothing like this has happened. Something has turned wrong - and it will only get worse.
But just for a moment, Jesus steps into the ugly fracas and, of all things, heals a member of the enemy group.
Jesus, the merciful healer, is back at it again.
Much earlier in Luke's gospel, he taught love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,... he meant it, and here he is doing it.

So what's the lesson for me? At first, it might seem predictable - go out and do the same to others.
But keep something in mind; our religion is more about God loving us, then we loving God or loving others.
The first thing I should know is that God loved me, now, as I am, before doing anything else.
I need simply to let myself be on the receiving end of the goodness of the Lord.

Where is my life right now most in need of the gentle healing touch of Jesus?

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