Here is a biblical text. The scene: Jesus and his disciples have gone to the garden of Gethsemane. This is taken from Matthew 26.
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Matthew 26:52 is the key phrase in this passage.
There is no date 26:52. However, Feb 26 is 2-26. 2×26=52. So, I have decided that Feb 26 is “Draw the sword and die by the sword” day.
I have decided to initiate a prize for a sermon. I will offer $1000 for a sermon preached on Feb 24 (closest Sunday) which satisfies the following conditions:
- The Sermon must take as its text the Matthew 26:52 passage.
- The Sermon must include the healing of the ear that Peter cut off after he disobeyed the wish of Jesus.
- The Sermon must discuss the gun culture and discuss Jesus’ view of that gun culture.
Any thoughts on this?