I Wonder...

  “But now,” he (Jesus) said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!” Luke 22:36

  The Disciples already had two swords. This was enough for Jesus’ purpose of fulfilling the prophecy about being counted among rebels. It was illegal under Roman law for Jews to own swords. I find it thought provoking that being called a rebel was because of Roman law, not Jewish.

  During Jesus’ arrest, one of the Disciples used their sword to strike the high priest’s slave (or servant depending on the Bible translation) cutting off his right ear.

  Jesus said, “No more of this.” V.51 then healed him.

  I’d always believed it was a soldier, there to arrest Jesus, whose ear was cut off. It is how it was portrayed in the mini-series, The Bible. But then again, I haven’t really thought about this passage except to learn about the miracle of healing Jesus did.

  The slave, or servant, would not necessarily have been a willing participant in the arrest. They may have only been there in their role of servant. To do what? What did the Priests require of such people? Or was this servant a Jewish soldier under the command of the Pharisees?

  In our own time, royalty, the wealthy or those involved in big business rarely go anywhere without a servant or an assistant nearby. Only the pay grade has changed.

  Maybe all this servant was doing is carrying a lantern or torch so his master, coming to arrest Jesus, could see in the dark. There were no street lights.

  This slave, Malchus, is clearly identified as a personal slave belonging to the High Priest which leads me to believe he wasn’t a soldier. Would it be safe to infer he would have been an innocent bi-stander, under the control of his master?

  The High Priest could easily kill him for disobeying. He was only property after all.

  There’s a big lesson here. It’s about grace.

  How many of us get swallowed up by the force of the mob? It might be verbally, in a conversation around the kitchen table that passes judgments with a free and cruel hand. It might be physically by being swept up in a protest that turns violent.

  So I have realized the most important aspect of this part of the Passion story isn’t simply that Jesus is the Messiah who can do miracles. It’s that His miracles of healing are there for anyone who is trapped by circumstances, who may not have the wealth or strength or ability to escape those circumstances.

  But that’s another wonderful thing about Jesus. In Him, we can do all things.

  Sometimes it's hard not knowing how these peoples' stories unfold after what is recorded for us to read, to meditate on; after they met Jesus first hand. It's hard not knowing how lives were changed or even if they were. All I can do is use the gift of imagination. Thank You, Lord, for that gift.