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 ...
‘Sin living in me’ [Romans 7:17-20] Look at Romans 7:17, 20: “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. … Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” The Apostle Paul repeatedly said twice that “it is sin living in me.” Here, “me” refers to the Apostle Paul himself. Who is Paul? He was a zealous persecutor of the church. Look at Philippians 3:6 and 1 Timothy 1:13 – “as for zeal, persecuting the church …” (Phil.3:6), “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, …” (1 Tim.1:13). While on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). See the conversation between Je...