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” (10) [Romans 8:35-39] Look at Romans 8:36-37: “Just as it is written, ‘FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Here, “it is written” refers to the Apostle Paul’s quoting of the words recorded in Psalms 44:22 – “But for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” And “we” in Romans 8:36 refers to three things in context: (1) God’s elect (v. 33), (2) Those whom God justifies (v. 33), and (3) Those whom Christ Jesus at the right hand of God intercedes (v. 34). When the Apostle Paul wrote to the saints in the Roman Church that this “we” who are being put to death all day long, “all day” refers to a whole day, but ultimately to a ...