Article December 28, 1957 Issue

"PUT UP THY SWORD"

LAURA JANE MORGAN

"Peter would have smitten the enemies of his Master, but Jesus forbade him, thus rebuking resentment or animal courage. He said: 'Put up thy sword.'" So writes Mary Baker Eddy on page 48 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." speaking of Christ Jesus' rebuke to Peter in the garden of Gethsemane at the time of the betrayal, which preceded the crucifixion.

This passage includes the only reference to resentment to be found in the textbook. Yet the passage contains a powerful statement by Jesus, one which can be of help in the subduing of that particular kind of displeasure or indignation. He said (John 18:11), "Put up thy sword.'

Peter had to draw his sword before he could possibly be told to put it up. His resentment or animal courage had carried him to the point of drawing his sword and striking the servant of the high priest. Later his moral courage failed him, and he denied the Master, whom he had formerly tried to save by the sword. We do not accomplish anything worthwhile through resentment, animal courage, or indignation. True strength is in moral courage.

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