Digging Deeper: Empowered by the Spirit
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword”
Matthew 26:52 (ESV)
EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT
We pick up the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane after Peter has hacked off an ear of one of the servants in the crowd that has come to arrest Jesus. Peter took action, empowered only with the finite power of a human being. Charles Spurgeon notes, “It would have been far better if Peter’s hands had been clasped in prayer.”
Jesus reacts quite differently. David Guzik explains, “At the moment when it seemed that Jesus had nothing and no advantage, He knew that He still had a Father in heaven, and access to His Father and all His resources through prayer.” We too have access to all the resources of heaven simply by praying.
Peter has a long list of failures and brash moments. He walks on water, but quickly sinks when his faith weakens (Matt. 14:29-30). He argues with the other disciples about which one is greatest (Luke 22:24). He has the nerve to tell Jesus that this whole “suffer and die and rise again” plan may not align with Peter’s plans for Jesus (Matt. 16:22). He refuses Jesus’ attempt to wash his feet (John 13:8). Finally, on Jesus’ last night of his life, he denies his Lord three times, twice to lowly servant girls (Matt. 26:69-75). All of these missteps are because Peter is only empowered by his earthly abilities.
David Guzik summarizes Peter’s action that final night noting, “With his sword, Peter accomplished very little. He only cut off one ear, and really just made a mess that Jesus had to clean up by healing the severed ear (Luke 22:51). When Peter moved in the power of the world, he only cut off ears. But when he was filled with the Spirit, using the Word of God, Peter pierced hearts for God’s glory (Acts 2:37).”
We all have “Peter” moments. We think we can conquer the world, fix every problem, and right any wrong. Without the Spirit of God, we are severely limited in what we can accomplish. With the Spirit of God dwelling in us, Jesus promises that we can move mountains (Matt. 17:20). Peter and the other apostles received the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Peter preaches to the crowd, and three thousand “souls” were added to the church that day (Acts 2). That is just one example of the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells inside us. How do we tap into that power? Pray!
Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.