Hanging on the wall next to our front door is a World War I bayonet reconfigured into a candlestick. It's an especially appealing piece of artwork because of what it signifies. Bringing to thought the prophet Isaiah's promise that nations will beat "swords into plowshares,"See Isa. 2:4. it reminds one that willful and often fruitless confrontation with evil must eventually yield to the enlightened understanding that can overcome evil conditions and bring peace.
Christ Jesus' spiritual understanding of God's all-power and of man's safety in His care enabled him to transcend—and to nullify—the influence of hatred and fear. He showed mankind that it is possible to bring healing, instead of frustrating entanglement, to difficult situations, and to express love in the midst of hostility.
At the time of the Master's betrayal, when his enemies came to arrest him, one of the disciples struck out at the high priest's servant and severely wounded him. But Jesus said, "Suffer ye thus far" and then healed the man.See Luke 22:47-51.
