Malchus

It wasn’t his favorite assignment. Going out in the middle of the night to arrest a two-bit false prophet wasn’t his idea of fun, but it needed to be done. Long ago he’s learned the value obedience, after all, not every Jew got to serve as the High Priest’s servant. It was a great honor, and it was an honor worth perserving. Though he hadn’t heard it directly, he’d picked up enough from hushed conversations and knowing glances to understand that this Jesus was trouble. He’d grown to dislike him and maybe even hate him. Now he had the chance to be part of the arresting party. Maybe it wasn’‘t so bad after all.

They arrived in the garden, so dark that it was hard to tell one Galilean fisherman from another. That was ok. One of his “disciples” had defected. This was going to be rich. He’d get to watch this imposter’s own follower betray him . . . with a kiss. There was the moment of hesitation as if Judas was rethinking, then, there it was. As soon as Judas’s lips reached Jesus’ cheek, Malchus moved. He never even saw it coming. One minute he was walking toward Jesus and the next he was writhing in pain grasping the bloody side of his head where his ear used to be. One of those wretched vagabonds had cut off his ear. He was already feeling dizzy from the loss when that Nazarene magician stepped forward with that mass of blood and flesh that used to be his ear and reached to the side of his head. Then the most amazing thing happened. One moment he stood there bleeding and the next moment the side of his head was just as if nothing had happened. If there’d ever been an undeserved healing it was that one. Yet, Jesus did it. Why? Because he even delivered those who opposed Him.

And that could be you this morning. You came here in doubt and maybe even with a spiritual chip on your shoulder. You’re seeking something and you know it, but you’ve got a lot of “issues” with God. You’ve got questions about Christ and the truth is you really, down in your heart, are opposed to everything Jesus stands for. I want you to know that He can deliver even those who oppose Him.