That’s Enough

Luke 22:35-46

³⁵ And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶ He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” ³⁸ And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

The Disciples are about to experience a dramatic shift in their lives. Jesus is preparing them for His death and the fact that He will no longer be present with them physically. Their lives are about to change in ways they cannot imagine. If they actually understood what was about to happen the only word that would work to describe them would be ‘terrified’. How many of us can face a life altering experience without fear?

Earlier in their training, the Disciples had been sent out by Jesus on a mini mission trip. Here they were allowed to experience what life would be like as messengers of the Gospel. They all came back to Jesus (after only a few short days) to announce that they had had great success. They had healed the sick and even cast out demons. And for that trip Jesus had told them to take nothing along with them. Now, He gives them the opposite counsel because His departure is going to change everything. They will find themselves in danger. Now their minds needed to be prepared for a new reality. This isn’t a contradiction, just a shift in circumstance. Jesus also begins the final phase of His Passion, listing Himself “among the transgressors”. He now begins to carry the sins of the world upon His shoulders.

As Jesus shares the fact that the Disciples will now be facing violence because of His Kingdom, there will also be a need for swords. Oddly enough, the Disciples already have two swords with them – brought to the Passover Meal! (It’s time for another eye roll.) The words “It is enough” are interesting here.

This is another ambiguous thought. Jesus could be understood as saying that two swords are “enough” for his and the disciples’ ministry. Or, more likely, he is fed up with the disciples’ misunderstanding of his ministry and theirs. They take Jesus literally and intend to use swords, as Peter does in 22:49–50. Hence Jesus says in effect, “I have had enough!”

Just, A. A., Jr. (1997). Luke 9:51–24:53 (p. 842). St. Louis: CPH.

Who of us as parents hasn’t said the words, “That’s enough!”? When you’re at the end of your tolerance for foolishness these are easy words to say. The fact that the Disciples have brought swords to this feast is over the top and displays an alarming lack of trust in Jesus who has already provided complete protection for them for over 3 years. So while they don’t totally understand what’s going on, they do sense that there is a shift in their circumstance and fear overtakes them.

We are now seeing a “no nonsense” Jesus who has His face set toward the cross. The foolishness of the Disciples is the last thing He needs in these moments. But, He utters only this brief reprimand and they move on to the Mount of Olives. It is time.

We all do well to examine our own fear responses. What security blankets do we take with us when God doesn’t seem to be enough? (I might suggest that we depend far too much on our cell phones, but I digress.) While Jesus teaches the Disciples that preparation and readiness are important, relying on God is still the most effective tool that we have.