Luke 22:35-46 (ESV)

³⁵ And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶ He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” ³⁸ And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” ³⁹ And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” ⁴¹ And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ⁴⁵ And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁶ and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Jesus asked his disciples to think back to when he sent them out before him. He asked them whether they lacked anything during that time, although they went with minimal resources. They replied, “No. We didn’t lack anything at all.” Jesus then let his disciples know it was time to change the way they did things. Now they needed to take their own money bags and knapsacks with them. They were going to have to provide for themselves. Oh, and if they didn’t have a sword, they should sell their coats and get one ASAP. The world was about to reject Jesus, and his disciples needed to be ready to experience rejection too. No longer would others reach out to help them. They were going out as lights into a dark and hostile world. Then Jesus quoted from Isaiah 53:12. The Old Testament prophet, about seven hundred years earlier and speaking of the coming Messiah, said that he “was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Jesus showed his followers that Isaiah was actually speaking about Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples that he was about to die an appalling death alongside the wicked. The disciples still didn’t really “get it.” They eagerly let Jesus know that they had two swords. Jesus’ reply of “It is enough” probably meant something like “Forget it. You guys aren’t getting what I am talking about.”

How amazing to think that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah seven hundred years before this event to bear witness to his predetermined plan concerning the life and death of the Messiah! Jesus cautioned his disciples that the climate was about to change, and those who may have embraced them before would now reject them. But just as God had all the details of Jesus’ life mapped out, he had the details of the disciples’ lives planned out. God is in control of the details of your life too. We may be facing suffering and rejection right now because of our stand for Jesus or our desire to live according to God’s law and principle, but not one moment of our pain is wasted. God knows exactly what is going on, and he is able to work it all together for good. Thank God today that he sees, knows, and is in control of the future! What an amazing God we love and serve!