June 1, 2025
“Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.” (2 Samuel 18:23 ESV). “Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.” (John 20:4 ESV). In both the Old and New Testament readings today, men ran a race with urgent news tied to
May 29, 2025
“Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’”(John 18:4 ESV). This moment in John 18 is stunning in its clarity and courage. Jesus is not caught off guard. He knows exactly what is about to unfold—the betrayal, the arrest, the denial, the trials, the
May 30, 2024
‘Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”’ (John 18:36 ESV). When Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the king of the Jews,
May 29, 2023
“Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (John 18:10 NLT). All of the gospels tell the story of the high priest’s servant losing an ear to one of the disciple’s swords. Yet, only John names names. We are not surprised to learn that the
May 29, 2022
HOW MUCH DID JESUS KNOW ABOUT WHAT HE FACED? When the soldiers came in the cover of darkness with torches blazing and swords clanging, Jesus and his disciples might’ve easily escaped. Instead, Jesus fully realized that this was the moment for which he had come, so he stepped into the open to meet them. What
May 29, 2021
DID JESUS GIVE MALCHUS EARS TO HEAR? All of the gospels tell the story of the high priest’s servant losing an ear to one of the disciple’s swords. Yet, only John names names. We are not surprised to learn that the sword belonged to Simon Peter, but we are somewhat amazed to learn the name
May 30, 2019
THE KING WHOSE KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD When Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the king of the Jews, Jesus answered that his kingdom is not of this world. Jesus did not deny being a King. He used the word “my” three times saying, “My Kingdom and my followers.” So, Jesus is a
May 29, 2019
THE DETERMINED COURAGE OF OUR SAVIOR When the soldiers came in the cover of darkness with torches blazing and swords clanging, Jesus and his disciples might’ve easily escaped. Instead, Jesus fully realized that this was the moment for which he had come, so he stepped into the open to meet them. What determined courage! Jesus
May 29, 2018
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO MALCHUS?
All of the gospels tell the story of the high priest’s servant losing an ear to one of the disciple’s swords. Yet, only John names names. We are not surprised to learn that the sword belonged to Simon Peter, but we are somewhat amazed to learn the name of the ear’s owner, namely, “Malchus.” The Synoptics only referred to him as the “high priest’s servant,” but John gave us his name.
John recorded the names, but only Luke recorded the miracle. Jesus healed the ear. Malchus did not have to go through the rest of his life without his right ear. It’s absence would have always reminded him of the sword, but it’s presence no doubt, always reminded him of Christ’s healing touch. I wonder. Does John record his name to add further fact to his testimony? Or is it because Malchus became better known to the disciples later on, having become a disciple himself?
May 29, 2016
When the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus protected his disciples. He did this in fulfillment of his own promise to keep the sheep that the Father had given him. This displayed the character of Christ. He lay down his life for his lambs. While he was physically present, he protected his own. And then, he entrusted their care to the Father (John 17:15). Jesus continues as the Advocate and Protector for his sheep. He ever stands before the Father advocating for us.