31 Days of Healing: The Healing of Malchus' Ear

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”-Luke 22:47-53 (NKJV)

This was seriously an intense moment.  Jesus had just been praying, and the Bible says that His sweat became like great drops of blood.  He was getting ready to be taken away.  He had prepared the disciples, but they didn't know it was immediately upon them.

And then Judas arrives.  And he identifies to those who have come to arrest Him, which one Jesus is.  When the disciples saw what was happening, I imagine the adrenaline went soaring.

Have you ever been in an intense emotional situation, either in an argument with a friend or loved one?  It usually makes your adrenaline rush and your blood pressure go up right?  Now, imagine you have a sword.  You may laugh, but I know that I have thought about this passage of scripture before when I have gotten angry, mostly to comfort myself.

They were coming to take Jesus away, and the disciples became very protective of Jesus.  One of them became so protective, He pulled out a sword and cut off the high priest's servant, right ear.  What a moment! John's Gospel identifies the man that cut off the ear as Peter, and the servant as a man named Malchus.

What happens next is most amazing.  Jesus gets a moment of pause and touches Malchus' ear, the enemy who has come to take Him away, and heals him.  Everyone sees it.  The High Priest is most likely there and he just witnessed it.  They witnessed the miracle working power of God working on an enemy.

What does that say about the character of Jesus?  He is a healer.  That's who He is.  It is what He does.  He gives life to everything He comes in contact with.  It is always His purpose to heal.

There's a lot more to this story than I have even explored. One new thing that I have learned since first writing this post is that the name Malchus can mean "king" or "kingdom." This was Jesus last healing before He was crucified. I find it very interesting that His last miracle was "healing the kingdom."

Many blessings as you grow in grace and the knowledge of Him,

Beth

To read more about the healing ministry of Jesus, please visit 31 Days of Healing.