MkThe men seized Jesus and arrested him. LkWhen Jesus’ followers say what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” JnThen Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Mt“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” LkBut Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
- Matthew 26:50b-54, Mark 14:46- 47, Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10-11 (as presented in The Daily Bible in Chronological Order)
Malchus. The name made my day. I love the thrill of hidden treasure that comes from finding something new in a familiar passage of scripture.
Malchus. I knew Peter cut the ear off. I knew Jesus healed the ear. But I never realized we knew the name of the servant.
Malchus. It’s not a name taught in Sunday school. It’s not a name we recognize but can’t place. It’s a name we don’t notice and easily forget.
Malchus. A man come to seize Jesus, at the forefront of soldiers armed with torches and weapons. A man seeking the Messiah, his piercing eyes fixed on Jesus.
Malchus. As he stands in confrontation against the troubling man from Nazareth, Peter’s sword is drawn against him and in one slash, his ear is hanging.
Malchus. Is he stunned? Angered? Doubled-over in pain? Filled with rage and ready to attack?
Malchus. The declared enemy of Jesus. Set to destroy Him. Prepared to end Him.
Malchus. A man on a mission to destroy.
Jesus. The God on a mission to save.
Jesus. Calming the situation with only His words (the Word of God is powerful stuff).
Jesus. Looking full-on the humanity set to destroy Him with calm. Facing His weapon-rich crowd of enemies without fear.
Jesus. Heals the enemy. Graces him with His powerful touch. Makes whole what has been broken.
Jesus. Searching eyes will find Him. Angry souls need Him. Broken lives are healed by Him.
Jesus. A no name encounters THE Name and nothing is ever the same.
Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
