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 ...
“If God is for us” (4) [Romans 8:31-34] Look at Romans 8:33 – “Who will bring a charge against God's elect? …” When we think of the “God’s elect” here, when did God choose? Romans 8:29 says that God foreknew. In other words, God chose before the creation of the world, before all things existed. Look at Ephesians 1:4 – “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, ….” So, who are the people God has chosen? They are those who has become conformed to the image of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). Here, the Son of God, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, not only died, but rose again (v. 34). Not only that, but He is the One who ascended into heaven, and sat at his right hand of God (Mk. 16:19; Heb. 10:12) to make intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). As God's chosen ones, we must imitate Jesus. The subject of all our wishe...