“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you…”
Luke 22:31
What have I done? He ran from the garden and began his descent from the mount. Standing by his King in the boldness that comes from self-confidence, he was ready to die by the sword just as he had vowed to Him in typical boastful fashion.
I am ready to die for you!1 The pompous words echoed in his head as he continued running from the garden, his eyes focused on John ahead of him.
Where is John headed? Breathing labored and heart pounded from the adrenaline rush from the events of the hour.
Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you!2 He heard his words of heartfelt devotion as he reflected on his response to the Lord’s concern for his faith.3 This is why he was astonished at the rebuke from Jesus in the garden, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”4
Simon Peter had strapped on a sword in the upper room after Jesus had told him that he would deny—three times—that he knew Him! When Jesus told the disciples to prepare themselves with a traveler’s bag, money, and sword,5 he was quick to grab one of the two swords they found in the room and to gird it to his waist. Peter wasted no time in preparing for confrontation, even though Jesus brushed aside their suggestion to arm themselves that evening with an ironic rebuke, “It is enough.”6 Peter was still mulling over in disbelief, his Master’s humiliation of his boldness of character—I am not a weak one; I will show Him who is strong among us!
When Peter drew his sword as the High Priest’s servant, Malchus, approached Jesus, he had reacted impulsively.7 He was not a swordsman, an armor bearer, nor a soldier, but a fisherman very familiar with the small, curved blade of a filleting knife used to clean fish. The sword was much larger and cumbersome, and as he lifted it from its sheath to strike the man, he was off balance from wielding it above his head. The blade, as it came down, would have missed Malchus entirely had he not looked towards Peter as it caught his ear, clipping it from his head. Malchus cried out as he fell to the ground holding his head.
The temple guards rushed forward; drawn were their weapons. Jesus was already in their grasp, being held by the priests as the guards came forth.8 Jesus turned to Peter and spoke, his voice ringing clear in the night air, stunning them with these words, “Put away your sword. Those who use the sword will be killed by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”9 Peter, eyes ablaze, breathing heavily with anger, felt the humiliation of his Master’s admonition as his hand went limp, dropping the sword to the ground. He doesn’t need me in my strength; I need Him in my weakness.
Then Jesus, looking at those holding Him resonated, “Permit even this.”10 Peter was amazed at the power Jesus had over them, a battalion of Roman soldiers and temple guards forming a small army of hundreds,11 yet they had drawn back and fallen to the ground when Jesus, just moments before, said, “I AM”12 acknowledging that He was Jesus of Nazareth.13 As Malchus held his head, blood dripping between his fingers, Jesus knelt at his side, placing the ear perfectly in place, healing the man,14 leaving no mark that this vicious deed had occurred.
Jesus rose and looking to the multitude; he said, “Am I some dangerous criminal, that you have come armed with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.”15 Then the prophetic words of Zechariah were fulfilled just as Jesus foretold them to His chosen twelve at their last supper together just hours before, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night.”16 For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ”17
“At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.”18
—A confession from Matthew, a disciple who abandoned Jesus
Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.
Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry, 2016 by Jeff Cambridge
References
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Verses marked NKJV are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Verses marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
1. John 13:37
2. Luke 22:33
3. Luke 22:32
4. John 18:11
5. Luke 22:36
6. Luke 22:38 NRSV and notes pp. 140
7. John 18:10
8. Matthew 26:50
9. Matthew 26:52-54
10. Luke 22:51 NKJV
11. Matthew 26:47, John 18:3
12. John 18:6 NKJV and notes pp. 1945
13. John 18:5
14. Luke 22:51
15. Matthew 26:55-56
16. Matthew 26:31 NKJV
17. Matthew 26:31
18. Matthew 26:56
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