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 ...
The benefit of suffering “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes” (Psalms 119:71). I came to hear news that I am deeply disturbed even today through the internet news. A 34-year-old father stabbed his 8-year-old daughter and 9-year-old daughter's friend, a woman, with a knife each 20 and 11 times, in a small town in Chicago. I heard the news that this cruel father who killed even his own daughter stabbed her eyes with a knife. When I heard this, I was angry because I couldn’t believe how evil human could be in committing such horrible crime. My reaction was: 'Is this man really a human?', 'Is he really qualified to be a father?' In order to drive a car, we need to get a driver's license. But there is no such thing as a license to be a father. That’s w...