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 ...
Good news of love "But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you" (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Apostle Paul constantly thanked God because the Thessalonian church saints received the word of God, which Paul preached, not as man's words but what it really was, the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). He also constantly thanked God because the word of God was working in them who believed (v. 13). In the midst of giving thanks to God constantly Paul has serious concern. And that serious concern was that when the Thessalonian church saints were suffering they might be tempted by the tempter and his and his co-workers’ labor would be in vain (3:5). So since Paul could endure it no longer (vv. 1, 5), he sent Timothy to them. And Timothy returned to Paul with good news about their faith and love (v. 6). Here, we can think of two thi...