“Suddenly, Peter took out his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, slashing off his right ear! The servant’s name was Malchus…”
(John 18:10)
Why… why did he do such a thing?
This was overwhelming odds, many historians suggest that the crowd that faced Jesus and the disciples were 500-600 men strong. Armed soldiers from Rome and Temple police. But apart from the odds…
The Disciples were supposed to be Holy… weren’t they?
It is a small and slight comfort to me that those men, knowing Jesus, seeing everything He has done and could do, living with Him every day for about three years… could stuff up so magnificently!
Peter obviously did not look at his little green WWJD armband and think this through and responded in a personal attack. Or maybe he has been pondering it for weeks or months and made a solid decision to act? Can you imagine if it was even more complex and a few of the disciples were all-in for the plan to protect Jesus, and then, when Peter turns around, he was the only one that attacked?!
I can imagine that scenario in 10 different ways!
Anyhoo… in hindsight I know what was Jesus’ plan. So I also know that Peter reacted wrong. But why? why is this story even in the bible? I have a few ideas…
- God’s plans is not always in our understanding, but it is infinitely better than mine!
- Peter was rebuked by Jesus, but not cast away. He simply took the situation in hand and created another miracle, and another testimony, and an object lesson that Peter will never forget.
- People kinda struggle to hear your message when you cut off their ears…
One commentary I read referred to this action in anger as the lesson: Anybody that is attacked will defend themselves. Maybe ineffectively, maybe weakly… but they will defend. They will not be open to reason, and they will not be open to conversation and they will not be persuaded.
How will you speak to someone’s heart if all you’ve done is attack their lifestyle, attack their beliefs, attack their decisions? Peter made a poor decision but Jesus came in with comfort and healing and turned one life around…. (probably a few more than one) and a lesson for Peter, and us!
I often think about the quote from Abraham Lincoln, saying: “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
He also was fond of saying that he was a slow walker, but he never walk backwards!
Going to try my darndest today not to walk backwards…
Jesus ordered Sean, “Put your sword away!”
Stow away your anger, frustration, fear and look for My plan, My peace!
