Divine Provision

Irony, innuendos, sarcasm, entendre, play-on-words, and similar language and cultural elements are easy to miss and difficult to transfer from one culture to another. In India, Lori had a mischievous student in her 9th grade who always got into trouble. One day, out of frustration, she said to him, “You are becoming one of my favorite students.” The sarcasm illuded him, and he thought she was serious. From that day on, he was a model student.

The Lord Jesus was a master of irony, innuendos, entendre, and play-on-words. Sometimes, even his disciples missed what he implied. They took his words literally when he meant them figuratively, or they missed his “misdirection.”

He said, “When I sent you without a money bag or backpack, did you lack anything?” They replied, “Nothing.” Then he told them, “Now, whoever has a money bag, take it. Likewise, a backpack. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your clothing and buy one.” (Luke 22:35–36)

The implied meaning was that their heavenly Father cared for their needs while they were helpless, without a money bag or backpack. They lacked nothing. But the time was “now,” when they were on their own — they had to take care of their expenses and fight their fight with their swords. The next few days, weeks, and years would be difficult for them. They would feel as if they were alone; their master was gone, and God would seem distant. They were on their own.

But the disciples missed this innuendo, implied meaning. They replied,

“Lord, see, we have two swords.” He said to them, “That’s plenty.” (22:37)

Jesus wasn’t talking about them carrying material swords but being prepared for an awful time, as Prophet Isaiah predicted. Isaiah spoke of a servant of YHWH who would suffer. He said,

“The servant will inherit many and divide the booty with the mighty. Before that, he will be handed over to death and considered one among the lawless. He offered himself for the sins of many, and he was handed over for their sins.” (Isa 53:12, LXX)

The servant’s victory would follow his sacrifice and death and be named among the lawless people. Jesus said to the disciples he was that servant:

“I say to you: what is written about me must be fulfilled — ‘He was named among the lawless.’ This fulfills in me.” (22:37)

The Lord Jesus didn’t want the disciples to buy swords and be ready for a fight. They would not win because the Scriptures, the prophecies, must be fulfilled — Jesus must die and be considered a lawless person. But they should be emotionally ready. Whereas the Father was with them and provided for all their needs in earlier days, he would seem absent now. Bad days were coming; they should hang on to the Scriptures, the prophecies.

Although the disciples missed this message earlier by the cross, after his resurrection and the veil of confusion and disillusion of a present earthly kingdom disappeared, they endured persecution and suffering and faced death unflinchingly. May the same be true of us. How can we escape suffering if YHWH’s servant and the servant’s disciples suffered? We endure and stand firm and unshaken, our spiritual swords.