BIBLE REFERENCES     and comment    LUKE  22:35-36   "And He (Jesus) said unto them, When I sent you without a purse and bag and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.   Then He said unto them, But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his bag; and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Many Christians believe that Christ is a pacifist, often quoting, “turn the other cheek.” But this command was made at a specific time and place, when they were being persecuted and in danger of arrest. The time was not right, for the Lord had not yet gone to the cross.   At his arrest, Peter cut an ear off one of the antagonists, but Jesus stopped him saying (Matthew 26:52) “... he that lives by the sword will die by the sword.”  This may seem contradictory after He just told them to buy swords. His disciples were ready to defend him. But Christ would not let them fight , knowing that they would die, being up against superior numbers (Mt. 26:47)..."a great multitude with swords and clubs," Christ had all the help that he needed, if he wanted it. (Mt. 26:53)  "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Besides, He had a mission to complete (the cross) -  (JOHN 18:11) "Put up thy sword into the sheath; the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" Also He didn’t tell Peter to reject the sword, but to sheath it.       The commission to take up swords was clearly meant for a later time.    Some Christians believe that we should humble the body and keep it weak. That only in weakness is the spirit made strong. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is when we are weak in the spirit that we come to the Master in submission. Paul said bodily exercise has some value, godliness was profitable unto all things. ( 1 Timothy 4:8)    The Old Testament is filled with martial artists (warriors) like Samson, Joshua , David and many many more.    PSALM 144:1   "Blessed be the Lord, my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight,"    Some of David’s mighty men were unmatched, even by history's most renowned warriors. ( 2 Samuel 23:8) Abishai killed three hundred in one battle. Adino, the Eznite killed eight hundred at one time. Eleazar and Shammah had great victories.