Devotional Reflection Based on the Incident of Peter Cutting Off Malchus's Ear: “Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.” ( Mark 14:47, Today's Korean Version ) 1. Identifying the People Involved: The person who stood beside Jesus and drew the sword was Simon Peter . The servant of the high priest was named Malchus . “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 ) 2. Jesus' Response to Peter's Action: (a) Jesus said: “Permit even this.” ( Luke 22:51, KJV: “Suffer ye thus far”; RSV: “No more of this” ) The Greek words clarify this: “ἕως τούτου” (“heōs toutou”) = “up to this point” or “even this” “ἐᾶτε” (“eate”) = “allow it,” “let it be,” “leave it alone” Therefore, Jesus is essentially saying: “Let them do what they are doing. Do not resist any further.” “If ...
The Lord knows my weaknesses, has compassion on me, and has actually helped me until now. He is still helping me, and I believe He will continue to help me until I leave this world and go to heaven.
The Lord knows my weaknesses, has compassion on
me, and has actually helped me until now. He is still helping me, and I believe
He will continue to help me until I leave this world and go to heaven.
As I meditate on the verse where Jesus was
tempted
by Satan for forty days in the wilderness
(Mark 1:13, Korean Modern Bible),
I am reminded of how the Israelites,
during their exodus,
tested God in the wilderness by demanding
excessive things,
rebelling, and stubbornly refusing to obey God
(Numbers 14:22; Psalms 106:14;
Hebrews 3:8, Korean Modern Bible).
I reflect and apply this to myself.
Although I, like the Israelites
in the exodus and the people of this world,
often harbor greed (Ref.: Numbers 11:4),
demand too much from God,
test Him, rebel, and stubbornly
disobey His Word countless times,
I know that because Jesus personally
experienced temptation and suffering,
He can abundantly help me in my trials
(Hebrews 2:18, Korean Modern Bible).
He knows my weaknesses and sympathizes with me (4:15).
He has helped me so far, continues to help me
now,
and I believe He will continue to help me
until I leave this world and go to heaven.
Although I have often fallen into Satan’s
temptations and sinned,
thus obscuring God's glory,
I believe that God uses even that to humble me
(Ref.: Deuteronomy 8:16, Korean Modern Bible)
and refine me (Ref.: Job 23:10).
In the end, He is the God who blesses me
(Ref.: Deuteronomy 8:16).
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