This little episode recorded by Luke in just 2 verses struck me today.
49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. – Luke 22:49-51
Peter is a fisherman, a commoner like most of us. We know him one who is very quick with his words and this time very quick with his hand. There was no record of him being physically violent at all till this moment.
i wonder if he even knows how to wield a sword. cutting off the ear sounds like a swordsman precision. What if his cutting of Malchus’ ear was a miss? maybe he was trying to cut Malchus’ arm to stop him from taking Jesus?
Whatever the situation was, i believe Peter must also have been in shock. He is not a soldier nor a warrior. A flying ear with blood and pain directly from his action must be rather traumatic. Too shock to even regret at the moment i would imagine.
Even in such a chaotic mess, Jesus was calm and have complete control of the whole situation. He picked up the ear on the ground, went to the groaning Malchus and put the ear back. Almost as casual as picking up a cap and putting it back on the head.
Peter’s action was driven by fear. i am reminded of how i reacted when fear gripped me and i reacted. When my reactions completely shocked myself and wondered where they came from i may not have physically harmed someone, but through my words, tone and even body language i have hurt someone.
I find myself helpless in cleaning up my mess but have to go before God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. My prayer is that Jesus will heal the Malchus in my life that he sent to test me and diffuse the tension in the situation.
the root of Peter’s action was fear. Beneath this fear is a lack of faith. the lack of faith that Jesus need his protection. the lack of faith that he must do something to prevent something bad from happening. He simply didn’t have faith to believe that Jesus is in control. i need to repent many times as i feel like i am Peter when i do this,
