the LORD's restraint

 

The PRINCE of PEACE:

John 14:27

King James Version

27 Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

What did JESUS think of war?

What did He think of violence?

How much did He love us?

Let Scripture tell us the ways of the LORD.

One particular instance stands out:

Matthew 26:46-56

King James Version

46 Rise, let us be going: 

behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

47 And while he yet spake, 

lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, 

and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, 

from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, 

saying, 

Whomsoever I shall kiss, 

that same is he: 

hold him fast.

49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, 

and said, 

Hail, master; 

and kissed him.

50 And Jesus said unto him, 

Friend, 

wherefore art thou come? 

Then came they, 

and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

51 And, behold, 

one of them which were with Jesus 

stretched out his hand, 

and drew his sword, 

and struck a servant of the high priest's, 

and smote off his ear.

52 Then said Jesus unto him, 

Put up again thy sword into his place: 

for all they that take the sword 

shall perish with the sword.

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, 

and he shall presently give me 

more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, 

that thus it must be?

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, 

Are ye come out as against a thief 

with swords and staves for to take me? 

I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, 

and ye laid no hold on me.

56 But all this was done, 

that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. 

Then all the disciples forsook him, 

and fled.

We really have no idea GOD's power.

Worse, we have no idea His long-suffering love for us.

And the restraint He shows, in not wiping out humanity.

Every time man boasts, I can only think of GOD's POWER.

Oftentimes coursed through His angels.

And that's for the next post.

Related material:

JESUS

PEACE through JESUS

Image: Free Bible Images