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 ...
Day 6: Romans 9:1-8 Unbreakable love In Paul's unbreakable love for the people of Israel, there was "great sorrow" and "unceasing anguish" (Rom. 9:1-2). The reason for this was Israel's unbelief. Paul's "great sorrow" and "unceasing anguish" stemmed from the fact that his kinsmen according to the flesh, the Israelites (v. 3), sought to attain righteousness not by faith but by works (v. 11). Paul was particularly distressed to see a privileged nation like the Israelites, who had the privilege of knowing and believing in God (vv. 4-5), not availing themselves of that privilege. Yet, amidst witnessing the disobedience of the Israelites, and feeling the urgency and agony for the salvation of their souls, there was something that comforted his heart. It was the word of the unbreakable covenant of God (v. 6). The promise in that word was, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" (v. 7). The core of th...