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 ...
When I am greatly afraid and distressed “Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed … "Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children”(Genesis 32:7a, 11). Are you afraid of death? Are not you afraid of your own death as well as the death of your family members? If you are afraid in a turning point of life and death and don’t know what to do in that crisis, what would you do? In Genesis 32:7a, 11, Jacob prayed to God when he was greatly afraid and distressed. The reason why Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed was because the messengers whom he sent before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom (v. 3), told the news that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men (v. 6). So Jacob prayed to God when he was greatly afraid and distressed a...