Ques. What does the "scrip" allude to in Luke 22:36? A. C.
Ans. In verse 35 it was a shepherd's bag or pocket where things needed by the way were carried.
In verse 36 purse and scrip and sword are figurative for faith's resources in God through Christ. When He was with them as their Messiah, He cared for them so that they lacked nothing. Now each one would need to exercise faith for himself. Phil. 4:19 gives us a full purse, or bank on which to draw. The Shepherd's bag has in it our immediate needs. (Psa. 23:1.) Our sword is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It has done its work in our souls, humbling and teaching us, and giving us deliverance from the power of the enemy. And now we can use it for the comfort and blessing of others in the measure in which we ourselves have been blest. (2 Cor. 1:3, 4, 5, 6.)
They (the disciples) said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." They took it literally. Jesus answered, "It is enough," as much as to say, "You do not understand Me yet.”
Ques. Is 1 Thess. 5:2 Christ's coming for us or with us?
Ans. It is the day of the Lord, when He comes to assert His authority, and take the Kingdom. We appear with Him. It is when He comes as a thief in the night, an unwelcome and unlooked for visitor to the wicked. (Isa. 2:10-12; Joel 2:1, 2, 28-32.)
Ques. On Isa. 53.
Ans. "He is despised and rejected (or left alone) of men." The believer now may share His rejection.
Ques. By H. A. C.
Ans. Matt. 11:16-19. John came calling Israel to repent, and on this ground wait for the Messiah. He mourned over their sins: but they did not lament. Jesus came in grace to ruined men, but they said "This Man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." He spoke good news, piped unto them, but they did not dance. There was no response in their souls to God's call, But wisdom is justified of her children; they condemned themselves, and God justified them. The Pharisees justified themselves, and called the Savior a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. Truly He was, and is, the sinner's Friend! What would we have been without Him?