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 ...
Introduction The church is crumbling right now. The church is not only collapsing morally or ethically, but also biblically. In other words, the church now does not know God (Isa. 45:4, 5). The reason is because they rejected the knowledge of knowing God (Hos. 4:1). Not only the saints, but also the pastors rejected the knowledge of God (v. 6). As a result, the more we increase as we ignore the commandments of God (v. 6), the more we sin against God (v. 7). Also, the church is not preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. Rather, the church now preaches “a different gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9). And now the church is accepting that different gospel well (2 Cor. 11:4). Also, the church is not living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27). In other words, the church does not stand with one mind and cooperate for the faith of the gospel with one will (v. 27). Alt...