AND WHAT OF MALCHUS' EAR?
It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus fought the battle of His life as He wrestled with His soon-coming death on the cross. He and His disciples had shared the Last Supper, Pesach, together. Then Jesus made His way to the Garden to pray.
Judas had already left the group when they still were at the table. Jesus alone knew the evil scheme sulking in Judas' heart, waiting to bear the fruit of deception and betrayal.
Having won the victory in prayer over all obstacles that would have prevented His death, Jesus rose in the Garden darkness. It was then that a mob overtook Him and His group just as Judas expected. At the opportune time, Judas said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and planted that fateful kiss on Jesus' cheek. Seizing the moment, the mob, armed to the hilt, took Him prisoner.
Had the disciples stayed awake to pray in the Garden while Jesus prayed, things might have turned out differently. But, instead, they slept.
"Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus." John 18:10.
Where and why Peter got a sword, Scripture does not tell us. In a moment of humanly-inspired bravado, Peter took his weapon and whacked off Malchus' right ear. Peter was determined to protect his Lord, no matter what! It is obvious he wasn't fighting the battle over Jesus' life on the same plane Jesus did in the Garden. He needed to have watched and prayed!
With an unexpected retort, Jesus confronted Peter:
"Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" John 18:11.
It was the wrong move, Peter! Instead of commending him, Jesus told Peter that his action would have hindered the will of God being fulfilled in His plan of redemption. All because Peter had not stayed awake to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus had mercy on the slave, who must have been bleeding profusely, and healed his ear. Jesus questioned the mob about their accusations against Him, but they arrested Him anyway and led Him to the house of the high priest.
In this scenario lies a glaring twist that didn't usually occur when Jesus healed or performed other miracles. True, He made Malchus' ear as good as new. What a miracle! The mob who were close enough to the scene in action saw the severed ear. They saw the blood spurting from Malchus' temple. They saw him collapse and grimace in pain. If there were a torch close enough to Peter, they saw Malchus' blood on the sword blade. But Jesus wonderfully healed the man.
Yet, the crowd was not overwhelmed with awe by the miracle. They did not bow at Jesus' feet. They did not recant in the least from their original intent to arrest Jesus. It appears they were overcome with anger at Peter's action instead. Peter's 'heroism' turned the crowd more resolutely against Jesus than ever!
Which brings us to the present moment. In this day of growing 'wokeism' are the haters of God's truth so angered because in their pasts they have experienced Peters who were not led by the Spirit in their actions against ungodliness? Have they, perhaps, even had their own ears cut off by cruel words or actions intended to inflict hurt and pain in defense of the Gospel?
That being the case, no Jesus stood in that crowd to mend their ears. Oh, He was there, alright, but so misrepresented by one who professed to follow Him that the wounded was angered, not humbled to seek His help.
Dear reader, at some time or other might you have acted as a Peter along the way? Have you been guilty of cutting off Malchus' ear, as well? Paul declared:
"For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." II Corinthians 10:3-4.
Ours is a spiritual battle. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.
In yet another place the apostle Paul said, "...if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." Romans 8:13-14.
We are not in a physical battle against people. Our fight is against the evil rulers of darkness, the ultimate enemies of God. We must fight these battles in the Spirit and by His might!
To do this, we must die to ourselves and all our desires! Then we must surrender completely to the Holy Spirit and be baptized in Him. Finally, we must be led in our warfare by the Spirit according to His might!
No more ears! No more bloodshed aimed at the destruction of our opposers' souls. We must be led by the Spirit in the Spirit! God's warfare, not ours!