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 ...
Worship-witnesses [Romans 12:1-2] What is your life purpose? What are you living for? In the book “Purpose Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, he says there are 5 benefits to living a purpose driven life (Warren): (1) The first benefit is that knowing purpose gives meaning to life. Without God there can be no purpose in life, and life without purpose is meaningless. Without meaning there is no importance or hope. A young man in his 20s wrote: ‘I must be a failure because I am struggling to become something, but I don't really know what I am trying to become. All I know how to do is live roughly. One day I will feel that I am beginning to live only when I find my purpose in life.’ Are we living while feeling the meaning of life? (2) The second benefit is that life becomes simpler when we know our purp...