Matthew 26:52 Jesus said, "Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords." (The Message Bible)

Jesus was being arrested when He made the above statement. The Bible says a multitude of people came out with clubs and swords. Peter reacted by drawing his sword, swung the sword at the servant of the High Priest and ended up cutting off the ear of the servant. Jesus touched the servant's ear and healed it. Then Jesus told Peter to put his sword away.

Let's stop there to see where we get our facts of this event. We know it was Peter because John identified him in John 18:10. Luke 22:38 tells us the disciples had only two sword among them. John also tells us that Peter was holding one of those swords. Matthew, Mark, and John all say Peter drew his own sword. All four Gospel writers tell us the servant's ear was cut off. Luke 22:51 tells us Jesus healed the man's ear. John and Matthew tell us Jesus told Peter to put his sword away.

Jesus didn't tell the soldier to put up their swords also. He only made sure his own men were not fighting. The judgment and correction of the soldiers and the rest of the mob is left to God to take care of. Jesus knew his arrest and crucifixion had to happen. He also knew He could call down more the twelve legions of angels. (Matthew 26:53) The word "legion" meant a Roman army. Twelve legions would have been roughly 72,000 angels. 72,000 angels with miraculous powers. Jesus was capable of miraculous powers himself. He proved that by healing the servant's ear. Jesus did not need Peter's sword.

Peter reacted hastily and impulsively. The disciples had asked Jesus if they should strike with their swords (Luke 22:49), but Peter didn't give Jesus a chance to answer. Peter thought only of fighting with his own strength. He didn't consult with God. He put the disciples in danger by doing something that would enrage the mob. The disciples had only two swords among them. They could not have fought and won the battle on their own power. People who try to fight their battles on their own, never consulting God are living by the sword. They put their trust in their own strength, their own wisdom, their own resources and never once going to God for advice and help. They are living by the sword and they will end up harming themselves eventually.

Starting with the fall of Adam and Eve, humans have always had difficulty fully trusting God. We so often think we need to step in and help when God has told us not to, or when it's not our business to step in. The case of Uzzah is a good example.

2Samuel 6:6-7 And when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen upset it. And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah. And God struck him there for the error. And he died there by the ark of God.

God's actions against Uzzah seem rather harsh, except God gave instructions that no one was to touch the ark. (Numbers 4:15) Uzzah knew he wasn't suppose to touch the ark. A person could argue that what Uzzah did was a natural reaction. However, Peter's actions were a natural reaction for him also. Both men were trusting in themselves instead of God. If God allowed the ark to fall, that is God's business. He didn't need Uzzah's help in protecting it. God could have stopped the men who were arresting Jesus. He didn't need Peter's help. Jesus could have stopped the men also, but He didn't. He knew He had to die so we could be saved from our sins and have eternal life. We need to stop placing our trust in ourselves and trust God completely.