Harrison Woodard

My latest project involves the story of Jesus healing the chopped off ear of Malchus, a servant of the High Priest. During the arrest of Jesus, Peter pulled out his sword and swung wildly at Malchus who was part of the mob that had come for Jesus. Although the Bible does not say this specifically, I doubt Peter was aiming for the guy’s ear.

In the confusing confrontation between soldiers, servants and armed disciples, who no doubt were afraid for their lives, this incident could have exploded into a bloodbath. But since it involved Jesus, everything was contained. He was in complete control of all the events that evening.

He ordered his disciples to put away their swords. They were completely unnecessary. Jesus could have ordered thousands of angels to defend him, or simply walked away from the mob like he had done so many times before. Instead, he would willingly go with the mob and endure the mock trial, the beatings, the cross, and the worst of it all, spiritual death – separation from his Heavenly Father. That was his mission.

As the disciples fled in fear, Jesus faced the mob alone. Malchus, clutching the bloody stump where his right ear had been, was crying in agony. Cuts and injuries I have sustained around the head seem to produce and overabundance of blood, so I would assume his clothes were a bloody mess. The pain of the injury, and seeing so much of his own blood, might have been a little shocking to a household servant not accustomed to violence.

The Bible says that Jesus touched the ear and it was restored. In the midst of his arrest, and facing the terror of the cross, Jesus still responded in love. He saw a man hurting inside and out. Someone who was just doing his job who got caught at the wrong place and at the wrong time. We don’t even know if Malchus knew anything about Jesus. He was simply being an obedient servant.

The Gospels record no words spoken by Jesus. But I suspect that Jesus whispered something like “be made whole” into the man’s good ear before touching him. This was just enough to spark the man’s faith to receive his restoration. Faith comes from hearing the Word. And if Malchus did not believe, as happened occasionally during the ministry of Jesus, there might not have been a miracle. Imagine if Malchus had wallowed in self-pity or anger, he may have lost his chance for healing. Jesus would never force anyone to be healed against their will.

I know I am heading into speculation, but this story has always fascinated me. I put myself in his shoes back at home with the rest of the servants and the family of the High Priest. Malchus had as evidence clothing stained with his own blood. He may have even had the old ear if it had been completely severed and not reattached – the Bible is not clear in this regard. Needless to say that this was an undeniable miracle.

The Bible does not say anything else about Malchus. In John, we hear about another servant, a relative of Malchus, accusing Peter of being a disciple of Jesus. Its possible he had heard, or possibly seen Peter’s attack and Jesus healing Malchus.

I want to believe that Malchus became a follower of Jesus. There is no Biblical evidence for this, but I can’t imagine anyone going through such an ordeal and not be at least curious about the person that had done such a wonderful thing for him. I imagine him hanging around the trial and possibly at the crucifixion. I see him sneaking off into the night and meeting with the disciples to learn more about his Savior. I can  imagine him as an old man telling his grandchildren how Jesus gave him a perfect new ear!

Everything Jesus did or said had a purpose. And I believe it was no coincidence that Malchus met Jesus that day. Jesus wants a relationship with everyone. Jesus is still saying, “lend me your ears.” He is saying come to me and be healed and made whole – spirit, mind, and body.

Hear the Good News and receive the gift of Salvation that Jesus earned for you.

 

Here are a few verses to meditate on regarding this subject.

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 <NIV>

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

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