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 ...
We who died with Christ [Romans 6:1-14] Look at Romans 6:5a – “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, ….” “His death” here refers to the death of Jesus Christ. Why did the sinless Jesus die? Look at Romans 5:10a – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, ….” The purpose of the death of Jesus, who was sinless, was that we might be reconciled to God. Look at 1 John 4:10 – “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” The purpose why God loved us, who were His enemies, and sent His Son Jesus Christ as the propitiation was to make atonement for our sins. If we look again at Romans 6:5a, the Bible says, “For if we have become united with Him in the liken...