Then 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.) John 18:10
This past Sunday, our Pastor, Dennis Miller, told a story about a message he had heard from a mentor many years ago. He titled it Malchus’ Ear. Malchus was the servant of the high priest Caiaphas, who had sent a cohort of Roman soldiers, including Malchus, to the garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. Simon Peter, impetuous as he was, (and armed as well), struck the ear of Malchus and severed it. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, and then proceeded to heal the severed ear of Malchus.
Pastor Dennis related that he could imagine that for years afterward, every time Caiaphas saw Malchus with an intact ear, he was reminded of the act of Jesus healing the man who had been sent to arrest him.
What a witness of the healing power of Jesus- physical healing, as well as the spiritual healing of love and forgiveness. Acts of love in the name of Jesus can last for generations.
A good reminder for all of us.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be the bearers of your healing power, Amen
