Some people have argued that when Jesus told the disciples to buy swords before going to the garden of Gethsemane he was defending the notion that Christians should sometimes be prepared to use violence.
Recently I ran across a debate about this. I wrote the following imaginary conversation because the whole thing seemed so absurd. (See Luke 22:35-53.)
Conspirator: What is your plan?
Jesus: We’re going to conquer the Roman Empire, starting here in Jerusalem.
Conspirator: Hmn … what kind of army do you have?
Jesus: Twelve.
Conspirator: Twelve legions? That’s impressive….
Jesus: No, no…. Twelve men.
(Silence)
Conspirator: Twelve men. Hmn. Well, perhaps twelve good men could be enough to get started…. Break into the palace by night, capture or kill everyone inside. The people would rise…. So these are fully armed and armored men?
Jesus: Yes. We have two swords. (Luke 22:38)
(Silence)
Conspirator: Two?
Jesus: Yes. It is enough! (Luke 22:38)
Conspirator: Well, here’s wishing you all the luck in the world. Say, with all that firepower I’m sure there’ll be a lot of overkill…. Maybe I’ll just leave town for a while until you get things under control. But remember me when you come into your kingdom! (Luke 23:42)
Jesus: Today you’ll be with me in paradise! (Luke 23:43)
Conspirator: I was afraid of that….
The fact that the word of God is living and active does not mean you can torture it to make it say what you want.