That’s Enough
Learning When to Lay Down the Sword
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 22:38 NLT - "Look, Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us." "That's enough," he said.
OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 22 begins Jesus' journey to the cross. It starts with Judas agreeing to betray Jesus, followed by the celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread—the Last Supper. During this time, Jesus announced His betrayer—Judas—which led to an argument among the disciples over who was the greatest, likely provoked by Peter. Then came Jesus’ revelation that Peter would deny Him, not the same as Judas, who betrayed Him. All of this brings us to today’s verse.
Jesus knew that the disciples did not yet fully understand what was about to happen. Peter, with good intentions, tried to rally the disciples to defend Jesus—even to die for Him. When Jesus told them to “be ready,” Peter took it literally.
Luke 22:36 NLT - "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!”
Hearing this, Peter—probably one of the two holding a sword—spoke up:
Luke 22:38 NLT - "Look, Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us." "That's enough," he said.
Jesus was not telling His disciples to fight or defend Him with violence. He had already said that He could summon a multitude of angels to help Him. No, Jesus was saying that the time for His betrayal and crucifixion had come. Three times in this chapter, Jesus told them it would be so.
Luke 22:15-16 NLT - Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
Luke 22:22 NLT – “For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him."
Luke 22:37 NLT – “For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: 'He was counted among the rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true."
When Jesus reminded the disciples of their past mission, He was preparing them for what was to come:
Luke 22:35-36 NLT - …"When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler's bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?" "No," they replied. "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!”
Jesus told them, “Be ready—the time has come; my departure is near.” Soon after, Jesus went to the garden to pray while the disciples slept. So much for their promise to defend Him—even to die for Him.
Jesus understood that he had to face this on his own. His disciples, though well-meaning, couldn't handle what was coming. He had to do it—no one else could.
APPLICATION:
When Jesus said, “That’s enough,” He wasn’t suggesting that two swords would be enough to fight those coming to arrest Him. His words held a deeper meaning—one that’s often overlooked in our own situations.
The phrase could be rendered, “Enough of this!” Jesus was saying, “Enough of this talk. I know what I must do. You may not understand now, but later you will.”
Luke 22:38 NLT - "Look, Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us." "That's enough," he said.
OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 22 begins Jesus' journey to the cross. It starts with Judas agreeing to betray Jesus, followed by the celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread—the Last Supper. During this time, Jesus announced His betrayer—Judas—which led to an argument among the disciples over who was the greatest, likely provoked by Peter. Then came Jesus’ revelation that Peter would deny Him, not the same as Judas, who betrayed Him. All of this brings us to today’s verse.
Jesus knew that the disciples did not yet fully understand what was about to happen. Peter, with good intentions, tried to rally the disciples to defend Jesus—even to die for Him. When Jesus told them to “be ready,” Peter took it literally.
Luke 22:36 NLT - "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!”
Hearing this, Peter—probably one of the two holding a sword—spoke up:
Luke 22:38 NLT - "Look, Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us." "That's enough," he said.
Jesus was not telling His disciples to fight or defend Him with violence. He had already said that He could summon a multitude of angels to help Him. No, Jesus was saying that the time for His betrayal and crucifixion had come. Three times in this chapter, Jesus told them it would be so.
Luke 22:15-16 NLT - Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
Luke 22:22 NLT – “For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him."
Luke 22:37 NLT – “For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: 'He was counted among the rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true."
When Jesus reminded the disciples of their past mission, He was preparing them for what was to come:
Luke 22:35-36 NLT - …"When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler's bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?" "No," they replied. "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!”
Jesus told them, “Be ready—the time has come; my departure is near.” Soon after, Jesus went to the garden to pray while the disciples slept. So much for their promise to defend Him—even to die for Him.
Jesus understood that he had to face this on his own. His disciples, though well-meaning, couldn't handle what was coming. He had to do it—no one else could.
APPLICATION:
When Jesus said, “That’s enough,” He wasn’t suggesting that two swords would be enough to fight those coming to arrest Him. His words held a deeper meaning—one that’s often overlooked in our own situations.
The phrase could be rendered, “Enough of this!” Jesus was saying, “Enough of this talk. I know what I must do. You may not understand now, but later you will.”
In his notorious papal bull Unam Sanctum, Boniface VIII (A.D. 1302) built on this text his doctrine that the Pope has the right to exercise secular as well as spiritual autocratic rule over mankind — the two swords, he said, are the spiritual sword and the secular sword. – Norval Gledenhuys.
Many have taken these words to develop entire doctrines, but Jesus intended something much simpler. The sword could not save—only the Savior could. The sword brings death, but the cross brings life. If salvation depended on the sword, we would still be fighting today—but because of the cross, “It is finished!”
What is it that you have been fighting, trying to help Jesus in? Are there areas in your life where Jesus has told you to be ready, yet instead of drawing near, you draw your sword?
Peter did exactly that:
Luke 22:49-51 NLT - When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, "Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!" And one of them struck at the high priest's slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this." And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
Jesus was saying, “Enough… no more of this.” The question is—do we trust Him in every circumstance?
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me listen and let You do what only You can. I hear the warning—help me respond. Teach me when to be still and trust that You are in control.
What is it that you have been fighting, trying to help Jesus in? Are there areas in your life where Jesus has told you to be ready, yet instead of drawing near, you draw your sword?
Peter did exactly that:
Luke 22:49-51 NLT - When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, "Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!" And one of them struck at the high priest's slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this." And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
Jesus was saying, “Enough… no more of this.” The question is—do we trust Him in every circumstance?
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me listen and let You do what only You can. I hear the warning—help me respond. Teach me when to be still and trust that You are in control.
When Jesus says, “Enough,” it’s time to stop fighting and start trusting.
Posted in 03 - Luke
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