Sharpen Your Sword, and Wait…

In John chapter 8 I read one of my favorite stories, it’s titled “a woman caught in adultery”. I love the part in verse 7 where Jesus says, “let he who has never sinned throw the first stone”. Then one by one the people dropped their stones and walked away. What is so crazy to me is that this woman was guilty, caught red handed! Yet, Jesus showed her His grace and mercy.

Tonight the Lord took me to an odd piece of scripture. He took me to John 19:1. The scripture says in the Common English Bible, “then Pilate had Jesus taken and whipped”. It amazes me that Jesus showed so much love and kindness, yet was still beaten. Whipped with leather strap full of shards of glass and metal. Flesh torn from his body. Muscles shredded to pieces, yet He was innocent. Why, why would they do such a thing to someone who didn’t deserve it.

Then I felt God speak to me. He asked me a question. He asked “my son, what do you use to sharpen a knife”? Now that’s an odd question Lord, but I know the answer. You use a sharpening stone, then to get that perfect edge you use a leather strap. God said “that’s exactly right my son”. Then He showed me His grace and His mercy when He said, “You my son, you deserved those stones. You my son, you deserved that leather strap. You were guilty, caught red handed. But I sent my Son to take that leather strap for you. I sent my Son to take those stones for you. Just as He was beaten, given 39 lashes, when 1 more strike would have caused death. Just as He was pelted with rocks as He carried that cross through the street and up the mountain to His death. I sent my son to do that for you.”

Now I had heard this all before but what I had never heard was what He said next. He said, “now my son, pick up those stones that you deserved, pick up that leather strap that you deserved and sharpen your sword, and when the time is right I will call you onto the battle field to sever the head of your enemy just as I called my Son David when he slayed the giant that stood between him and my glory.” And so I wait. I sharpen my sword with the very punishment that I deserved. I use the things that people could have used against me. And when He calls I will be ready to take my place on the battle field again.

Until then, Patience……

Written and Shared by: Martin Evans