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14. Jesus Heals His Attacker’s Ear (Matthew 26:51-56)
MATTHEW 26:51-54
51 Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” (Genesis 9:6, Matthew 4:11)
Peter was willing to defend the heavenly King with his sword and strength. But Christ prevented him from using violence, because His kingdom comes only through kindness, gentleness, and love. In doing this, Christ rejected every kind of crusade that contradicts His divine purpose and His call for love and respect. The Lord did not use the twelve armies of angels that were at His disposal, nor did He tempt the Holy Spirit who foretold the necessity of His death and resurrection to save the world. He loved His enemies and confessed before them that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, do not try to implement your ideas by force. Instead, be patient, commit yourself to the Lord, and love your enemy to the end.
For Christ’s servants, the weapons of warfare are not carnal but spiritual. Therefore, we should not fight according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). Some believers, however, think they have to stand up in defense of their civil rights and liberties. They insist that fighting is necessary for the preservation of public peace and order. At the same time, though, they agree that we should not resist evil (Matthew 5:39). Christ does not want His servants to spread His gospel by force of arms. A Latin proverb says, “Religion cannot be forced; and it should be defended, not by killing, but by dying.”
Christ healed the ear of the servant whom Peter attacked so that he could hear the Lord’s word once again. Imagine the astonishment of the servant who saw his ear thrown to the ground by a sword and then returned to its place by his “enemy” who might have killed him. This healing confirms to us that, by grace, Jesus forgives His enemies and opens to them the kingdom of God freely.
MATTHEW 26:55-56
55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. 56 But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
Jesus loved His attackers and did not defend Himself against them. He rebuked them gently and showed them their hypocrisy, cowardice, and fear. He told them that they had no authority over Him. He also reiterated the prophecy which said that Christ would be delivered to the Gentiles to redeem them from their sins, that the Lord would strike the Shepherd, and that the sheep of the flock would be scattered.
Until that moment, the disciples had stayed near Jesus. But when they heard that God had delivered Jesus to the hands of His enemies, they fled into the night as desperate men. They had lost every hope!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are gentle and lowly in heart. You committed Yourself to Your Father’s will and accepted the judgment against You, the insults, and the suffering even to death. You died a death of shame to deliver us from the divine judgment against us. Forgive us all our sins. Teach us to listen to Your word and believe in You so that we may be molded by Your love, escape the sword of Your judgment, walk meekly according to Your will, and go wherever You wish.
QUESTION:
- What does the binding of Jesus signify?