John 18:10 “Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus.”
This verse begins a parenthesis, so to speak, in this narrative. It’s a parenthesis focused on Peter’s relationship with Jesus. It begins with Peter’s initial reaction to Jesus’ arrest and continues to his denials before the rooster crowed. Apparently John wanted to draw his readers into Peter’s failures in order to highlight the love, mercy, and grace revealed in Jesus toward Peter later in the gospel. So let’s attempt to enter into what’s happening between Peter and Jesus.
Have you ever wondered what Simon was thinking when he attempted to remove Malchus’ head while facing a host of armed soldiers? By the mercy of God, Malchus ducked and only lost his ear. Regardless of Peter’s intent, it seems to be a rash and uncalculated act considering the odds. However, if we pause, put ourselves in Peters’ sandals and mind, a couple of very diverse possibilities come to mind.
1. Peter was filled with faith. He thought that Jesus was launching of the Messianic kingdom. Hadn’t Jesus told him to take up a sword and that one was enough? Just moments before he heard Jesus say, “I am,” and he saw the entire Roman cohort along with the temple guards fall flat on the ground. It’s similar to Peter’s jumping out of the boat onto the Sea of Galilee once he saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter was all in with Jesus. If this was going on in Peter’s mind, then it was an expression of radical faith. In stark contrast is another explanation.
2. Peter, Jesus #1 disciple, was used by Satan in an attempt to discourage Jesus and take out His disciples at the same time. Do you remember this interaction between Jesus and Peter? Matthew 16:21-23 “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man’s.’” This hour was Satan’s hour to throw everything he had at Jesus, and it makes sense that once again he would go after the hearts of Jesus’ followers, especially Peter.
I’m inclined toward the second alternative explanation because the disciples fled and Peter continued under Satan’s spell as he denied Jesus 3 times. I don’t guess we will know the answer to this on this side of heaven, but it should cause us to humble ourselves and be on the alert. Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (Peter’s caution by the way, 1 Pet. 5:8). Let’s abide in Christ. Be on our guard. Resist the devil, and live to love with Jesus.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
