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 ...
When difficult things come together at once “… If you will not believe, you surely shall not last” (Isaiah 7:9b). I don’t understand why difficult things come together at once. I thought everything was going fine and suddenly I don’t know what to do when things go off here and there. I cannot afford to take care even one of those things. But since there are several, I cannot bear them any longer. Both my mind and body are exhausted. My heart is heavy and discouraged in distress. I shed my tears in pain. I remember the song ‘You are my son’: ‘When I am hard, disappointed and exhausted, when I fall and there is no strengthen to arise, the Lord comes quietly to me and holds my hand and speaks to me’, ‘When I am disappointed by myself, when I am weak and tired, and when I shed tears in pain, the Lord wipes away my tears with His hand that has nail scar and speak to me ...’ What should we...