When the band of men and officers of the chief priest and Pharisees, led by Judas Iscariot, came to arrest Jesus, Peter reaches out for his sword and cuts off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. The servant’s name was Malchus (John 18:10). Jesus responded to Peter’s act of violence, by stating that there should be no more of this. Jesus then touches Malchus’ ear and heals it (Luke 22:51).
What can we learn from Malchus?
The healing of the ear of Malchus is indicative more about the nature, character and work of Jesus. Though physically, Jesus restored and healed the ear of Malchus, it becomes evident, when reading about what Jesus said, that Jesus was interested in Malchus, hearing the voice of the Spirit of God. Many times, in the Bible, Jesus advises, “He who has an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit tells to the Churches (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:7; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:17). Malchus was the servant of the high priest, implying that he would be held responsible for hearing what his earthly master told him, but in healing the ear of Malchus, Jesus shows us that the restoration of the ability to hear the voice of God, which His Holy Spirit speaks, is for us to hear what the Spirit of God, the heavenly Master’s commands.
Points to ponder:
Whose voice are you and I listening to? If you hear God’s voice today, asking you to believe in Jesus, harden not your hearts (Hebrews 3:7-11).
John 18:10 (KJV)
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Luke 22:49-51 (KJV)
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Revelation 2:7 (KJV)
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (KJV)
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)