One Last Healing

The Story

It was late at night in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had just finished praying so intensely that His sweat fell like drops of blood. Then the crowd arrived: soldiers, officers, and religious leaders carrying torches, lanterns, swords, and clubs. Judas led them and greeted Jesus with a kiss.

The disciples realized what was happening. “Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”

Peter didn’t wait for an answer. He drew his sword and swung it at the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. John’s Gospel even tells us the servant’s name: Malchus.

Jesus said, “Suffer ye thus far.” In other words, stop, no more of this. He told Peter to put his sword away.

Then Jesus reached out, touched the man’s ear, and healed him.

It was the last miracle of healing Jesus performed before the cross. And He did it for a man who had come to arrest Him.

Reflection