Nuggets 66: The Ear

  • B. Shelburne
  • Apr 21, 2007
  • Series: Nuggets

When did Peter start wearing a sword?  In happier days they hadn't needed weapons.  Now, with growing clouds of danger from the Jewish authorities, the disciples had mustered a couple of swords.  Knowing Peter, if there were two swords for twelve men, Peter would have one of them!

By being cryptic about its location, Jesus had sheltered his final time with the disciples at the Passover meal.  They then retired across the Brook Kidron to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Judas the betrayer knew Jesus often went there with his disciples.  Jesus had hardly finished his prayers of submission when Judas and the officers appeared.  Judas pointed out Jesus by a kiss of greeting. 

As the officers moved to arrest Jesus, Peter instinctively drew his sword, swung at the nearest member of the crowd and took off his ear.  The owner of the ear was Malchus, servant to the High Priest.  "Put away your sword!", Jesus commanded Peter.  "Those who use the sword will perish by the sword."  And then, before being led away, Jesus touched the ear and healed it!

I wonder how this act of good for evil affected the minds of the arresting crowd.  When they thought back over that night, did any of them wonder if they had been on the right side?  Who the real criminals had been?  I especially wonder how the healing affected Malchus.  He more than anyone had experienced Christ's goodness.  Whenever he touched the ear, he would remember love.  How could he not believe in Jesus?  We may know the answer.  Why would his name be preserved in the gospel unless the early church was familiar with him?  When you respond to evil in Christ's way instead of man's way, the result is always powerful!

Luke 22:38;  Mark 14:13-15;  Luke 22:15,39;  Matthew 26:30-54;  John 18:1-11;  Luke 22:47-51;  Matthew 5:38-48;  Luke 6:27-38;  Romans 12:18-21;  Matthew 5:16

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Copyright 2007 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.

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