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 ...
"Put my tears in Your bottle" "… Put my tears in Your bottle …"(Psalms 56:8). There are still tears in the bottle of my heart. They are the tears I will never forget. I still remember vividly the tears that flew in their eyes. They are the tears that are so precious to me. The tear that is written deepest in my heart is a drop of tears from my first baby Charis. When I held her first and last time in my arms, she passed away. And I saw one drop of tears in her right eye. Whenever I participate in the communion, I intentionally think of Charis who was in the Los Angeles Children Hospital Intensive Care Unit for 55 days and who had numerous needle marks in her body. And when I think about her, I remember one drop of her tears and it makes my heart moving. The second deepest tear in my heart is the tear of my beloved wife. I still...