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 heavy burden that cannot be carried alone “ So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? … "I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me” (Numbers 11:11, 14). Check for symptoms that persist in you at least two weeks: (1) continuing depression, anxiety, or emptiness; (2) lost interest and excitement of hobbies, the things I had fun time including sex, (3) desperate feeling, pessimistic thinking, (4) guilt, no value or helplessness, (5) sleeplessness, early morning wakefulness or excessive sleep, (6) decreased appetite, weight loss, overeating or weight gain, (7) Feeling weak, tired and sagging, (8) Thinking about death or suicide, attempting suicide, (9) Nervousness, easily annoyed, (10) difficulty in concentration and memory, difficulty in making decisions, (11) headache...