A very touching moment in the New Testament is the story of Jesus healing Malchus’s ear. This story is found in all four Gospels and shows Jesus’ kindness and commitment to peace, even when faced with danger.
The scene happens in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus often went to pray. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, came with soldiers and officials to betray Him. The disciples were scared and confused as everything unfolded.
When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter, one of His closest disciples, quickly drew his sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Peter was trying to protect Jesus, but his actions went against Jesus’ teachings of love and peace.
Jesus, staying calm and compassionate, immediately stepped in. He told Peter, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Then, Jesus gently touched Malchus’ ear and healed it (Luke 22:51).
Healing Malchus’s ear was important for several reasons. Cutting off the high priest’s servant’s ear was a serious crime, punishable by death, putting Peter in great danger. By healing the ear, Jesus not only removed the evidence but also showed grace and calmed the situation.
This act by Jesus shows that when we accept Him as our Savior, He removes all traces of our mistakes. Just like with Peter, when we mess up, Jesus erases the evidence of our wrongdoing, making us blameless before God.
Jesus’ healing of Malchus also shows His deep compassion, even for those who wanted to harm Him. By healing Malchus and correcting Peter, Jesus emphasized His commitment to peace and non-violence. He showed that His kingdom would be built through love and self-sacrifice, not force. This act fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah as a healer and peacemaker, confirming His mission to bring restoration and reconciliation to a broken world. For the disciples, it was a lesson in humility and faith, reminding them that Jesus’ way was different from the world’s way—true strength is found in love, mercy, and grace.
The story of Jesus healing Malchus’s ear is a powerful example of compassion and the strength of peace. It encourages us to think about our own choices and strive to show the same love and grace that Jesus did. In a world often filled with conflict and disagreement, this story gives us a lasting message of hope, unity, and healing.