[Wednesday's Devotional] - Peter cuts off an ear

‘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 [NIV]

Sometimes anger and/or fear can make us do the craziest things.  Peter found himself clutching a sword and couldn’t help using it.  I imagine that cutting off an ear of the servant of the high priest was not something that would be overlooked. 

Cutting off someone’s ear often has serious consequences!  The British declared war on Spain when one Robert Jenkins had his ear cut off by an over-zealous Spaniard.  The war has thereafter been known as the ‘War of Jenkins’ Ear’.

Jesus acted quickly to put right the situation; he touched the man’s ear and healed him.  Jesus was angry too, but he knew that prophecy had to be fulfilled.  He was angry at Peter’s action which brought unnecessary suffering to Malchus.  Further, he was angry about the fact that they came with arms to arrest him (he would not have disobeyed his Father’s will).  By healing the man’s ear, Jesus both removed his suffering and perhaps also saved Peter from being arrested at the same time.  What impresses me more than anything is the fact that Jesus was in control of events and was able to allow events to proceed according to God’s plan, in spite of the will of others including Peter.

Perhaps Peter learned something from this.  Although he was foolish, no harm was done to Malchus which was not undone by Jesus.  Sadly, our hasty actions when we are angry often have permanent results.

 

Lord, in our anger – keep us from sin and hasty actions, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Dave MacLellan (first published in 2003)