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 ...
Gethsemane Prayer (8) [Luke 22:39-46] This is the ferventness of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane: (1) Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk. 12:30). By obeying the first part of Jesus’ twofold commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your mind” (v. 30), the disciples of Jesus who love God imitate Jesus and fervently pray to God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father while pouring out all of His sap (Lk. 22:44). (2) Jesus fervently prayed to Heavenly Father while shedding clean tears, sweat, and blood. But the tears and sweat we shed when we ask our Heavenly Father are not pure and clean liquids. In other words, our tears and sweat are liquid mixed with sin. Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father as if He was pouring oil into an oil press (...