“And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22: 35-38)
“And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” Turn the other cheek has its limits. Jesus means what he says. This becomes more or less evident when the disciples produce two swords from among them. Jesus wasn’t opposed to self defense when one’s life was threatened any more than he was offended by a government’s use of the sword to maintain law and order. Likewise, though a Christian may be willing to die himself, he might also find the defense of the weak a worthwhile endeavor. However, the Christian faith was not supposed to be one that should be advanced by use of the sword in the manner that Islam has been advanced by these means.
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