In The Midst of Violence
Mathew 26:47-56 / Luke 22:47-53
A violent act seems to be at the core of this text: one of Jesus’ followers strikes out with a sword and cuts of the ear of one of the high priest’s slaves. But there is more to this whole event than meets the eye. Who is in control here and what is really going on? Why does violence seem to be central in the text and so often in society?
Violence makes the headlines on a regular basis. There seems to have been a huge increase in knife attacks, bashings and other violence throughout the city. There have been many things blamed for the upsurge: violence in video games, movies and television, a lack of discipline by parents, an inability to discipline children for fear of litigation, drugs, alcohol, gangs and racism. They’ve all had their turn. In reality though, we all know that the true cause is sin.
Since the fall, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, there has been violence and bloodshed brought about by their sin. Remember the whole Cain versus Abel murder situation? This was no Quentin Tarentino film, this was real life, and with it came more lies and deception and human beings became more and more corrupt, to the point where God sent a flood to wipe out all of the sinful people, leaving behind only Noah and his family and a whole host of animals.
Ever since the fall, violence has been used by human beings as a way of asserting their authority over another - sometimes out of greed, or lust for power- but often simply because of a disagreement that wasn’t resolved or forgiven or the colour of someone’s skin.
Sometimes (as was the case for the follower of Jesus) we don’t even wait for instructions. He asked Jesus if he should strike with the sword, and then didn’t bother to wait for Jesus’ reply, he struck out and took the ear clean off of the servant. The poor guy was there doing as he was told, and suddenly his ear was hacked off! No doubt the man with the sword thought he was justified in protecting Jesus, but if he had have waited he would have found out that Jesus wasn’t interested in violence, he was a man of love and peace and ordered a stop to it immediately.
What was his next action? He reached out and healed the injured man. He showed him love, mercy and compassion in the middle of the threats and violence. In many ways this is a metaphor for everything that Jesus had come to do. In the midst of all the violence brought about by sin, he had come to bring healing. Not by wiping everyone out and starting again as had happened in the time of Noah. Instead, Jesus had come to experience violence at the hands of human beings himself and to take their sin and our sin upon himself and carry it with his cross to Golgotha.
We are as guilty of sin and violence as the soldiers and guards who came to find Jesus in the garden. We are as guilty as Judas who came with them to betray Jesus using a kiss, normally reserved as a sign of love. We are as guilty as the man who struck out and cut off an ear. Yet Jesus came to bring us healing too. Not necessarily a physical healing by reaching out and touching us, but without doubt and with all certainty to bringing healing through forgiveness for those sins we commit and for the original sin committed by Adam and Eve that we live under no matter how perfect a life we attempt to live.
Because of God’s love for us, he sent his Son Jesus into a violent and unforgiving world, to bring about our healing, through taking our sins and making them right. Even though we continue to sin and fall short of God’s glory, we are forgiven over and over again.
The hour of darkness has been, not because of the power of darkness but because Jesus allowed it. Without the violence and suffering of the cross, his goal wouldn’t have been achieved, his purpose wouldn’t have been fulfilled. He had to suffer for our sake, and allow evil to win out for a short time, just long enough for Jesus to suffer, die and rise again in victory over sin, death and the devil. As we read in Revelation, He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more. He has made all things new, he is the conqueror.
The only way to truly wipe out violence is for the whole world, every nation and every person in it to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to submit to his will and beg for his forgiveness, which is given to us freely. Christ has won the victory, for all of us: it’s up to us to spread that message to all nations.
As we continue this Lenten journey, may you be encouraged to seek God’s guidance in all things, repent of any violence and corruption in your life, seek out and receive the forgiveness that God gives you and offer it unconditionally to others. Love your enemies by showing them the love God has for you and for them. Don’t strike out with the sword, but gently admonish with the word of God and with love.
The hour of darkness is past; we now live in the light and love of Jesus Christ. Know it, live it and share it.
Amen.