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Dr Cathy Northrup
The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.
Religion
2010-08-01 13:01:00
Why did Jesus say to buy a sword?
Question: (quotation from Luke 22:35-38): Then Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them: “But now,” Jesus said, “whoever has a purse or a bag must take it; and whoever does not have a sword, must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that the Scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals ,’ must come true about me, because what was written about me, is coming true.” The disciples said, “See Lord! Here are two swords!” “That is enough,” Jesus replied. What did Our Lord mean here?
Answer: You are correct when you say that these verses are unique to Luke: they are unique. They are very interesting as well. As always, it is helpful to look at the context of Bible verses when trying to understand them. Here, the verses are in the larger context of Jesus’ farewell instructions to his disciples. Jesus has shared the Last Supper with them, he has spoken with them about what true greatness is, he has shared with them knowledge about the gift of God they are to receive, and he has predicted Peter’s denial. In verses 35-38, Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that things will be different once he is arrested. When he was with them early on, he told them a purse, bag and sandals were not necessary because persons would be looking out for them and welcome them. On this night, however, he tells them the atmosphere will change, and they will need to take care. Things will move from hospitality to hostility. The disciples respond to Jesus in verse 38 by saying they are ready; they say they have two swords. Some have interpreted Jesus’ words back to them as indicating that they do not really understand, however; Jesus’ intention is not for them to be armed; it is simply for them to be aware of the coming change and be ready for it. And so he says, “it is enough.” He does not want to continue talking about this. He does indeed then go on to pray before his arrest. Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United States and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita or by phone at, 316-263-0248, ext. 26.
 
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