In the last moments before Jesus’
trials and crucifixion, we are told about the last miracle Jesus performed before
His death. We are all familiar with the
story. A detachment comes to the Garden
of the Olive Press (Gethsemane) to arrest Jesus. They have come well armed and ready to take
Jesus by force. Simon Peter, unwilling
to give up without a fight, takes his sword, one of two in the company, and
attacks the arresting force. Out
numbered and out armed-if Peter was thinking at all-he was most likely hoping
to buy a little time for Jesus to make a run for it. With the element of surprise on his side,
Peter draws first blood. He cut off the right
ear of Malcus the servant of the High Priest. All four gospels record the event, but only
Luke mentions the healing, not surprising for a doctor. Only John, writing much later, names Peter as
the assailant, and Malcus as the victim, and that it was the right ear.
While Scripture is not detailed
in this record, we can draw some reasonable conclusions. We can assume that Malcus was in the van of
the detachment, if not the commander, very near the front, hence a convenient
target for Peter’s fury. The mention of
Malcus’ name indicates he would have been known, or at least known of, by the
readers of John’s gospel. He is
described as a ‘slave’. In the ancient
world slaves could hold positions of leadership. In some cases the tutors and
family physicians were slaves. Perhaps Malcus
held a prominent position of leadership in the house of the high priest. He may have been part of the priest’s
personal storm troopers. John calls him
by name 60 years after the event. He was
a known person. He may have become a
follower of Christ and as such was known to the Christian community.
John made a point of saying it
was the right ear that was cut off. I’ll
go out on a limb a little here. I
suspect that Malcus was wearing a helmet of some sort. Peter’s intent was to cleave his head in two,
but the helmet turned the blade and rather than going through the skull, it
went down the side of the head taking of the ear. This would be consistent with Matthew, Mark,
and Luke when they say Peter struck the slave and cut off his ear. This would also mean that it is a strong
possibility that Peter was left-handed.
A right side wound could indicate a left side, dominate attacker. (C.S.I. Jerusalem)
Jesus steps into what is about to
break out in total chaos and mayhem and commands peace and performs the last of
His healing miracles. The swords are put
away, the wound is healed, the Savior saves, and 2,000 years later, we are
still talking about it.
Which brings us to the great
question that needs to be in every sermon, lesson, teaching, small group or
blog. That question is SO WHAT? Before I answer that let’s recap.
A.
Malcus is not a good
guy; he may even be a very bad man. He
is under orders of a wicked power to go and take an innocent man so that
unspeakable evil can be perpetrated against him.
B.
Peter is a loyal good
hearted, but frightfully misguided friend, who, without understanding God’s
plan, takes matters in his own hand and attempts to find a power/military
solution. His actions were opposite of
what would effect the purposes of Christ.
While his protective instincts are admirable he was working out of fear
not faith.
C.
Jesus was the only
solution. He did not make the problem go
away; He walked into the mess and there God’s greatest will was accomplished.
SO WHAT?
I believe we’re experiencing a
monumental moment in history. If you get
beyond the politics and the attempts to aggrandize one position over another,
the influx of Muslim people to Europe and the U.S. is a dramatic moment. Let’s be honest, some where between the
positions of, “These are all innocent little lambs looking for a safe place to
live in peace” and, “This is a military invasion invited in by enemies in high
places” there is the truth. If I was in
Syria and lived under the regime of Assad, I would do anything I could to get
to America and I am a nice guy. But it
is naïve to say that in the midst of all those people that there are no
terrorist and very bad men.
If I equate the coming of
thousands of Muslims to America to the coming of Malcus to the garden, am I
more apt to be like Peter or Jesus? Yes,
I know there are possibly terrorists in their midst. Simon the Zealot was a terrorist; that is
what ‘zealot’ meant. Saul of Tarsus was
a terrorist. He did terrible things and
terrorized the early church. There have
been a lot of really bad people who have become great heroes of the faith.
I am not advocating carelessness
in immigration policy nor opening up our country to known terrorists and
criminals. But I have heard a great many
Christian people talk about meeting with force those who are coming here. I have heard very little about meeting these
people with the good news of Jesus, with acts of compassion, with prayer and
ministry. I do believe Islam is
powerful. I believe Islam is demonically
inspired and evil. But I also believe
that those who die in Islam without the hope of the Cross are bound for an
eternity separated from God. And that
is a horror I would not wish on any person no matter how evil they may be.
I have made a point of praying
for Islamic people coming to the U.S. to have the opportunity to hear the
Gospel. I am looking for places where I
can interact with Muslims so that I might by any means reach some. Will you join me in praying for the mission
field that is coming to us? Will you let
me know of any ministry or organization that is attempting to evangelize these
people?
How like our God it would be, if
tens of thousands of “Muslim invaders” come here, discover Christ’s salvation
and then return to their homeland as missionaries of Grace!
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