Putting the Ears Back On

"And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, 'No more of this.' And he touched the man’s ear and healed him." Luke 22:50-51

Oh, the mess we make of things.

Peter had the best of intentions.  As John 18:10 tells us, "Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave."  

Peter was defending the Messiah, his Master, Jesus, in the garden where He had been betrayed by Judas and the soldiers came to take Him away.  We see with such limited sight.  We often act or don't act at the behest of others or the world's pressure, family pressures.  All the while, God gently speaks to our heart, leading us along the best path for our lives.  If we will have it.  If we will listen.  If we will take courage.

If we will believe.

Do you believe?

Later in this story, a family member of Malchus, the high priest's slave, found Peter warming himself by the fire and said, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus" (John 18:26, NLT)?  Peter lied.  He denied it.

How often do we do this very same thing?

But notice something so wonderful and astounding about this story.  It is the great love of God.  He loved Peter and was invested in Peter.  He knew how much Peter loved Him and He also knew Peter was frail like dust.  He loves you and is invested in you, too.  And He knows you are frail like dust.

After the resurrection, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus redeemed Peter. He lovingly addressed Peter's sin.  First, Jesus reminded Peter that his calling and gifts were sure, and never to be withdrawn (Romans 11:29).  He did this by taking Peter back to that very first call upon his life, calling to him in the boat to ask how the fishing was going.  Again, they hadn't caught a thing.  Jesus instructed them to cast the net to the right side of the boat and they would get some fish.  Read the beautiful account in John 21.  Jesus forgave and He forgives us, too, when we turn to Him in repentance.

I, for one, am grateful for a God who puts the ears back on.

May we search for the Lord and for His strength, continually seeking Him (Psalms 105:4).

Goodnight, Runners.