DAY 35 of #100daysofJesus
I want to tell the story of Malchus, a servant of the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas.
Caiaphas had bribed Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' apostles, to betray Jesus. As planned, Judas arrived that evening with details about Jesus' whereabouts, and Caiaphas then entrusted Malchus and his fellow servants with the important assignment of seeking out and arresting Jesus.
I wonder if Malchus felt uneasy about traveling up to the Mount of Olives by cover of darkness to arrest the peaceful preacher that had inspired so much jealousy among the Sanhedrin. Or perhaps he was consumed with a "mob mentality" rage as the group walked "with swords and staves" towards the garden where Jesus had spent the night praying.
As the crowd reached the garden, Malchus observed that Jesus and three of his closest friends, Peter, James, and John, were waiting for them. He watched as Judas betrayed his "master" with a kiss, the premeditated signal identifying Jesus. This ensured they would take the correct man, and that he wouldn't (again) slip through their fingers that night.
It all seemed to be going as planned until Peter unexpectedly drew his sword and "smote off" Malchus' ear. As he grabbed for his severed ear, his pain was only surpassed by his surprise at the miracle that soon followed.
Before the crowd could retaliate against Peter and his friends, Jesus stepped in with a strong rebuke, first to Peter for his violent act and then to the small multitude for their cowardice in coming by way of darkness to make their secret arrest.
Malchus would never forget what happened next. Jesus stepped toward him and with a firm but gentle hand, Jesus touched Malchus' bleeding ear and healed it.
The hurt, fear, and rage must have immediately given way to astonishment and confusion. Only the Messiah could have healed him like that. And why? What had Malchus done to deserve such a miracle?
As the crowd disappeared down the hill, holding tight to their innocent captive and walking by the light of their torches, I imagine Malchus stayed behind, possibly weeping, trying to make sense of the last few minutes.
Malchus had been the "enemy," coming unjustly to arrest a holy man, even the Messiah. Malchus would have recognized his own sin and unworthiness, which made the miracle even more incredible. Why would Jesus heal an unworthy, undeserving sinner who had come to arrest (and ultimately to kill) him?
Unknown to Malchus, Jesus had just suffered excruciating pain that night as He atoned for the sins of all of God's children. He was surely weighed down by the foreknowledge of the heavy cross He soon would bear. Even though the plot was known, I'm sure Jesus was hurt by the betrayal of one of his closest associates. The people (His people!), whom He had come to save, were rejecting Him, an even more painful betrayal.
Yet, such was the character of Jesus Christ, that even in this moment of pain and betrayal, he had compassion on this man. He knew Malchus was a victim of circumstance, not truly knowing what he was doing there that fateful night. He did not take it personally but showed love and mercy. This is the grace of our compassionate Savior!
At times I've felt unworthy of His healing and undeserving of divine help. Malchus' experience gives me great comfort. I feel like I could sit with him on that dark hillside in wonder and amazement at the grace Jesus has also offered me in my life.
To me the message is as clear as it is comforting: Jesus' compassion trumps all feelings of unworthiness and undeserving every single time, and it's not even close.
(References: Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-14)
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