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 ...
God who divides the sea [Nehemiah 9:9-12] There are websites on the Internet that provide maps. For example, if you want to know how to get to church from my house, it will give you the quickest way [it also tells you how many miles (distance) and how long (time) it will take]. If you had a short road and a long road ahead, which one would you choose? Maybe you will take the shorter route. But what would you do if you knew that danger lurked along the way? Would you rather take the long way back or would you rather take the short way even if it is dangerous? Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that there were two roads on the way from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan: Short way and long way. The shortest way is the way of the land of the Philistines, but there was a “war” if there was any danger lurking on the way. So, God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return...