One of them struck at the high priest's slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this." And He touched the man's ear and healed him (vv.49-51).
Jesus prays on the mountain, His anguish heightened as His death draws near. The disciples, having fallen asleep, are startled as Judas and his angry crowd charged toward their friend. Judas plants his ghastly kiss on Jesus' cheek, the guards step forward, and fear ripples through the disciples' chests.
I wonder what I might've done if I were in the disciples' predicament that evening? "If you don't have a sword", Jesus had said, "sell your cloak and buy one" (Luke 22:36). Would I also have missed the metaphor and taken Him literally? If I were bleary-eyed and startled by the horde, would my hand have reached for the sword hilt? If I were Peter, would I also have lunged at the High Priest's servant, slashing in defense? (v.50, 18:10).
Peter's sword strikes Malchus, and in an instant a follower of the Prince of Peace becomes guilty of attempted manslaughter. "No more of this," Jesus commands. He kneels down to Malchus and miraculously heals his severed ear (v.51). And in an instant the Prince of Peace heals a wound inflicted by His follower.
Many are the wounds of Jesus' followers today. Hypocritical evangelists, judgmental believers, and zealots who misinterpret the Word of God all leave their scars in the Good Shepherd's name. Maybe you've suffered personally. Your faith, once vibrant, is now dulled; your heart, once joyful, is now jaded. You wonder what kind of God would have these kinds of followers.
Jesus cries. "No more."
His followers may fail to live like Him, but Jesus is always consistent. Look again at His Face.
Watch Him walk toward you, watch Him kneel before you, and feel Him touch your deepest wound. He can heal you of the damage done by His defenders—if you will simply welcome His touch.
—Sheridan Voysey
more>
Malachi 4:2
No comments:
Post a Comment