Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!…Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. (parts of John 18:4-11) But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51)
On his way to the cross, the followers of Jesus find it necessary to defend Jesus. I can’t think of a passage in Scripture where this is more clearly demonstrated than this one. Peter starts slashing!
Interestingly, the story of the dramatic ear removal of the servant of the high priest begins with the words, “Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him.” We don’t find any record of Jesus saying, “Oops, I didn’t see that coming!” His foreknowledge doesn’t mean that he could just relax and prepare for a stress-free crucifixion! We don’t find Him saying, “I know how this comes out! I’m fine! Don’t worry about me!” It does mean that He knew the plan and what to expect. In his knowing, he accepted the reality that he had to submit to arrest, to a so-called trial, and to torturous crucifixion. But obviously his followers didn’t demonstrate awareness of that same information—though he had told them clearly, multiple times, that he was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die.
Peter responds with an attack! “I’ve got a sword, and I’m not afraid to use it! You all are messing with the wrong group of rabbi followers! Before I remind you that I have spent my life as a pretty rough customer who knows how to survive by fishing, I’m just going to start slashing! Get out of the way if you want to keep some body parts that you highly value!”
Witnessing Peter’s response makes me wonder: would I have done the same thing? When I see Jesus attacked, and his good name smeared, and his followers feeling hemmed in against the strength of modern day warriors, do I just come out with guns blazing? Does everything within me continue to say, like Peter, “Lord, I can’t let you go through with this! I won’t stand for it!” Remember, Peter said that very thing just a little while ago—was it a few hours?—when the foot-washing was underway. It’s obvious there was a lot taking place that he was either not accepting nor clued in on. I’m not criticizing him for that, just pointing out that he was demonstrating a perspective that was focused on the here and now, rather than God’s perspective, which included the now, the later, and the eternal. Which perspective do I have?
Not only did Jesus have to endure maximum human suffering, but during the suffering he somehow had to summon the strength to continue the teaching moments for his inner circle as he did with the prayer tutorial in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this scene, which occurred a short time after that prayer meeting, Jesus spoke clearly to his followers to put up their swords; violence and angry slashing weren’t going to accomplish the task that the Father had placed into His hands.
And when Jesus miraculously restored an ear on the side of Malchus’ head, he sent another clear word, if you will allow me to imagine a fleshing-out of what was going on: “I know all that’s happening. I still have my power. I want you to realize that I’m choosing to not get out of this predicament, because what’s going on is not taking me by surprise. I have committed myself to do my Father’s will, and nothing will hinder me. And I have compassion on those who are going to needlessly suffer at the hands of my followers, just as I’ve miraculously healed this man in your presence! Follow my lead, and continue to learn from me. Violence is not going to accomplish God’s will—nor will any plan you might concoct to rescue me. I will rescue you, and many, many others—but you have to let me do what I have to do.”
“Father, may we trust you at all times, even when we don’t understand what’s going on or what you’re doing—for we confess again that you are the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-mighty God!”
Copyright 2019, Freddy Boswell. From the book, Torn Curtain.
Freddy Boswell 