The apostle John wrote how Judas, “received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore you seek me, let these go their way. That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Of them which you gave me have I lost none”, and in chapter eighteen and verse ten of his book John shared how, “Simon Peter having a sword drew it” where we read:
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
The verse reads, “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear.” John began with the words, “Then Simon Peter” which means “at that time Simon whose name means little rock or stone Peter whose name means a little rock or stone and was Jesus' disciple” “having a sword” or “holding, owning and possessing a straight sword for thrusting” “drew it” which means “withdrew by inward power the sword”, “and smote the high priest's servant” or “and struck the slave, man of servile condition and bondman who belonged to the high priest”, “and cut off his right ear” which means “and severed his, the servant's, right physical ear”. John shared how Jesus' disciple “Simon Peter” took out His “sword” and severed the “right ear” of the servant of the “high priest”.
The verse goes on to say, “The servant's name was Malchus.” John continued with the words, “The servant's name” or “the name of the slave, man of servile condition or bondman” “was Malchus” which means “king or kingdom”. John shared that the name of the “servant” whose ear “Simon Peter” cut off was “Malchus”.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' disciple “Simon Peter” responded to the crowd who were coming to arrest Jesus. Rather than just allow it, Peter decided to react to their aggression. Peter pulled out His “sword”, swung it and severed the “ear” of “Malchus” who was the “servant” of the “high priest”. Though Peter's intentions may have been noble, Jesus was willingly being arrested to continue the process for saving mankind from their sins. Sin separates people from a relationship with God, and Jesus went through these horrific things to bring “salvation” to people. Those who yield their lives to Him will be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life with God, and He needs no one to sever “ears” for Him to be the “Savior and Lord” of mankind.
Next time we see John shares how Jesus told Peter, “Put up your sword”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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