‘We and the world, my children, will always be at war. Retreat is impossible. Arm yourselves’ – Leif Enger, in Peace Like a River
Today I am almost at a loss for words. Yesterday, in the wake of so much violence, including mass shootings whose victims made the mistake of engaging in such activities as shopping for groceries, attending church, or going to school, a tone-deaf, ivory-towered, and constitutionally confused majority of the Supreme Court issued a ruling on gun rights that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for federal, state, and local governments to enact reasonable laws governing the possession and use of firearms, and, in fact, calls into question every regulation presently on the books. While the decision is hot off the presses and needs careful analysis before too much is said about its full scope, there can be no doubt that the Court’s action will result in more guns, and, consequently, more gun violence, in America.
And once again, there will be those who call themselves Christians cheering in the streets. No, much worse than that. They will be heading to gun stores to buy more guns and ammo.
What can one say to this? Probably little of value if it comes from my own spinning head. So I will turn to the story of Jesus, the story in which his followers are to look for guidance in all situations, specifically to an event wherein Jesus expressed his feelings on the subject of arming oneself.[1]
Jesus had gone to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, knowing that in the coming hours, he would be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to die on a cross. One of his followers, Judas, who had already betrayed him, knew to find him there. He therefore came to the garden, guiding both religious officials and a detachment of soldiers (Jewish and Roman) armed with swords and clubs.
Judas had told the soldiers, ‘Arrest the man I greet with a kiss.’ And so, upon seeing Jesus, Judas approached and kissed him. The soldiers then moved in for the take down.
That’s when Simon Peter, one of two disciples who had brought swords with them to the garden, drew his and swung wildly in defense of his Master. His attempt was somewhat lame, as he only succeeded in cutting off the ear of Malchus, the High Priest’s servant.
Jesus immediately rebuked his violent disciple. ‘Drop your Sword!’ he shouted. ‘Everyone who lives by a sword dies by the sword. Do you not know that I could call upon my Father for twelve legions of angels to fight for me? But how then could the scriptures me fulfilled?’
Turning to the mob, he chastised them for thinking he would ever use force or lead a violent rebellion, even in self-defense. He had come to save, not to kill. As if to drive the point home, he healed Malchus before their eyes.
Jesus then allowed the soldiers to arrest him. They took him first to the religious authorities, and subsequently to Pilate, the Roman Governor, before whom he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to die. Then he went to Calvary, where he prayed for his enemies even as they killed him.
At no point did he call on the angels.
Apparently, not every professing Christian believes Jesus made the right call. A member of the United States Congress, Lauren Boebert (R-CO), who claims to be a follower of Jesus, recently told a church gathering that Jesus didn’t have enough AR-15s to craft a different ending to the story. If only Jesus had been a little more attached to the idea of self-defense. If only he had allowed Peter to swing that sword. If only he had armed himself with the legions of heaven. If only he had armed his disciples with guns.
Talk about missing the point.
The point is that Jesus, when confronted with his impending death, refused the use of swords (or AR-15s, or handguns, or anything else) in his defense. He clearly stated that the way of the sword was not his way. Nor would it be for his followers. The early church father Tertullian put it well when he said that when Christ disarmed Peter, he disarmed every Christian.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling, I fear what it will be like to live in a world where anyone can simply carry guns on their person, concealed or otherwise, wherever they go. I fear what it will be like to live in a world where the people carrying them include those whose anger is already sent to full rage and ready to explode at the slightest provocation. I fear what it will be like to live in a world where so many well-armed men and women are ready, willing, and able to carry out the violent rage fantasies of the political leaders they follow. I fear what it will be like for my children to live a world where people who may hate them for their beliefs, the color of their skin, or some other ridiculous reason, will be both armed and enraged by their mere existence.
How does one navigate through such a world?
Maybe Tertullian is wrong and Boebert is right. In a world such as this, perhaps the only thing to do world is to arm ourselves. To take advantage of the Supreme Court’s decision and start packing heat.
But no, we must instead look to Jesus. Jesus lived in a violent world. In fact, he lived in a world that was armed to the teeth. Roman soldiers carried swords and were not afraid to use them. Temple Guards carried swords and clubs. Nationalist zealots carried daggers, eager to wield them at any moment against their enemies (their goal, by the way, was to toss out the Romans and make Israel great again). Even Jesus’ disciples, despite everything he had taught them over the course of years, carried two swords with them to the table of the Last Supper, and on to the Garden. One was even foolish enough to swing one.
How did Jesus navigate through such a world? By doing the opposite of the fools around him. By refusing to arm himself.
And yet, that isn’t exactly true, is it? For while he did not carry a sword, he did carry the weapons of love and trust. As he went about his business in a world that was armed with swords, even as he journeyed to the cross, he armed himself only with limitless love for the world and relentless trust in his Father – and called his followers to do the same.[2]
It is Tertullian, not Boebert, who understands Jesus correctly.
Folks, the world we live in is violent and becoming more so. And in such a world, there is only one thing to do for those who follow Jesus. Drop our swords, trust our Father, and walk in love.
We and the world are indeed at war. The world loves violence. It loves guns. It believes the best thing in the world is a ‘good guy with a gun.’ Jesus says that the best thing in the world is a good guy without one.
So yes, by all means, arm yourselves.
But arm yourselves like Jesus.
Under Christ’s Mercy,
Brent
[1] For the original Gospel versions, see Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; and John 18:1-11.
[2] See, Matthew 16:24.