by Mike Benson www.oakhillcoc.org

Jesus had power (Col. 1:16-17). "Wonder-working" power (Luke 5:17). He could walk on water, raise the dead, and instantly heal those afflicted with horrible, life-long disease. He could cast out demons, feed thousands with but a few loaves and fish, and transform water into wine. He could rebuke the storm and calm the sea. He had power (Acts 10:38).

And yet -- perhaps His most surprising manifestation of power was the intentional failure to employ it (1 Pet. 2:21-23; cf. Isa. 53:7; Mark 14:61). Despite the unlimited miraculous resources at His disposal -- when faced with Calvary and all that entailed -- Jesus restrained His own mighty hand. Has it ever occurred to you that one of the Lord's most significant displays of power was expressed in a non-miraculous way?

The chief priests, elders, and scribes (religious leaders!) levied a sordid array of attacks against Jesus. They brought false testimony against Him (Mark 14:55-58). They accused Him of blasphemy (Mark 14:64). They spat upon Him, they blindfolded Him, and they struck Him (Mark 14:65). Pilate had Him scourged (Mark 15:15). His own friends betrayed Him and denied Him (Mark 14:10-11; 66ff). Finally, He was thrust upon a cruel cross and forced to endure humiliation and torture (Mark 15:22ff; cf. Heb. 12:2).

Jesus could have prevented it all. Peter tried to (Mark 14:47); in fact, he had vowed to (Matt. 26:31-35; Mark 14:31). When the enemies attempted to take the Lord away, Peter struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. In another one of his brash initiatives, this future leader, apostle, and preacher of the first-century church tried to start a fight. Peter wanted the mob to know that He was ready to come to blows, if necessary, and he drew blood in order to prove his point.

But Jesus didn't need Peter's sword; He was the Son of God. He not only had power, He had all power at his disposal. He could have called angels. Mighty, super-human (Psm. 103:20; cf. Matt. 28:2-4; 2 Thess. 1:7) legions. A legion was anywhere from 3,000-6,000 thousand strong. We sometimes sing, "He could have called ten-thousand angels." More accurately, He could have called between 36,000 and 72,000 angels PLUS (cf. Rev. 5:11; Dan. 7:10)! So why would He need Peter's puny blade? The host of heaven could have been beckoned with but a word, and Jesus could have retaliated.

Let's be honest, most of us have more in common with Peter than with the Lord. Right? When our mates hurt us with words, we want to show our superiority and exhibit our prowess -- "Where's my sword?! Hey angels, come on down!" When our enemies try to hurt us, our inclination is to emulate Peter rather than Christ. We want to unsheathe our weapon and fight back; we want to call in our reinforcements and engage in battle.

But the Lord urges us not to use force (Rom. 12:19). You see, we, like Jesus (Matt. 26:54), have a mission (Matt. 5:43ff; 1 Pet. 2:20), a mission to reconcile others to God (2 Cor. 5:20). So how can we bend our will to the Father's and subdue our desire to use force, intimidation or power? Consider:

1. Remember that those who live by fighting eventually die in battle themselves. "All who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matt. 26:52). I know couples who are capable swordsmen. They are skilled in verbal engagement. They know how to cut to the core with their sharp tongues (Prov. 12:18a). They mutilate their mates by hacking them to pieces with their words. (Peter would be proud!) By their malicious and caustic jabs, they bleed the life out of their relationships. As a result, their marriages are "killed," and divorce ensues. Husbands, wives, "swinging your sword" (Matt. 26:51) doesn't produce peace; it only escalates hostilities (Prov. 15:1). Be a lover (1 Cor. 13:4-8a; Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4), not a fighter (Prov. 17:14; 20:3; 1 Tim. 3:3). Be a peacemaker (Jas. 3:14-18; cf. Matt. 5:9), not a war-monger (Jas. 4:1; cf. Psm. 68:30b).

2. Remember that employing force nullifies your mission. "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" (Matt. 26:54). Had Peter been permitted to fight off the Roman mob, had Jesus summoned His legions (Matt. 26:53) and prevented His own capture, Calvary might never have occurred, and you and I would still be in our sins. Peter could have cut, and Jesus could have called, but either alternative would have aborted the Father's will for mankind (Matt. 26:54). Brethren, when we employ retaliatory force against others, we effectively severe any opportunity to win/reconcile them to Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 3:1; 1 Pet. 4:19). We have a mission to win souls (Prov. 11:30b; Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 12:17-21), not personal battles (1 Pet. 2:20ff).

3. Remember that the greatest exercise of power is often the decision not to employ it. Jesus didn't dial 1-800-4ANGELS; instead He turned over His Shepherd's rod and became a sheep Himself (Isa. 53:7). Real power backs away from a fight. Real power shows restraint and exercises self-control. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23; cf. 2 Pet. 1:5-9).