Baby steps:
When we first come to the Lord, he makes sure that our faith is secure. He supplies all of our needs, whether financial, physical, or emotional. Being born again is the most critical time in a believer’s life, because it is when all their spiritual attributes begin to form. Jesus sent his disciples to preach the gospel and instructed them to take only what they had with them (Mk 6:7-9). As they went on their mission, the disciples would experience God’s provision. They were going to fight battles without swords. The battles the disciples would encounter would be spiritual. The scriptures tell us that our battles are against spiritual forces from darkness (Eph 6:12). But, as we mature in the Lord, we have to learn to pick up a sword and fight for the kingdom. The scriptures tell us that God’s kingdom suffers violence, but that the violent take it by force (Mt 11:12). We have to become experienced with using the sword so that we can effectively defeat the enemy (2 Tim 3:16-17).
Luke 22:35-36
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
The time had come for the disciples to get a sword and be ready for the battle. Jesus instructed his disciples to sell whatever they had and buy a sword. To get their victories on the battlefield, the disciples had to be a part of the battle. The betrayer was about to do the unthinkable; he was going to turn Jesus in to be crucified. Jesus, during the last supper, told his disciples that the time had come for one of them to deny him. And that person was going to be the one who dipped their bread in the cup with Jesus (Mt 26:21-23). The act of dipping the bread in the same cup was a symbol of friendship and or betrayal. Judas dipping of the bread was the latter, of betrayal, and he knew that Jesus knew it. There were 11 disciples, and they were to go and buy a sword each, but they returned with only 2 swords.
When they took Jesus, Peter struck the high priest’s servant, piercing his ear, but Jesus immediately healed it. Peter was the only one who participated in the battle to defend Christ because Jesus stopped them. The battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sm 17:47), and once he has defeated our enemies, it is up to us to finish the remnant of the battle. Just like in Gideon’s case, where he was only allowed to take 300 men into battle. They were only to attack after the Lord had overcome the enemy (Jdg 7:22).
Mark 6:7-9
7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Matthew 11:12
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Matthew 26:21-23
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
2 Samuel 17:47
47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord‘s, and he will give you into our hands.
Judges 7:22
22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.