Day 7
John 18: 1-11
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Some Surprising Reactions (John 18: 1-11)
At the times of the great festivals (13:1) it must have been a daily occurrence for a squad of soldiers to be sent out to deal with a zealot or a protest somewhere in the city. The Roman military were not squeamish, especially when sent to arrest a single Jewish peasant from somewhere in the country. However, there was something different about this man. He stood his ground and he looked them straight in the eye as he answered their questions. Such was their surprise, that ‘they drew back and fell to the ground’ (verse 6).
The disciples were unwilling to let their master be arrested without a protest. Peter drew his ‘sword’ (verse 10). The word probably means a ‘long knife’, another word is used for the sword you would fight with (Luke 2:35). Whatever the weapon, there was no doubt about Peter’s intention or what he did. He cut off the ear of Malchus. Jesus forbade further action or resistance and told Peter to put away his sword. The negative way that Jesus said, ‘Shall I not drink ...?’ leaves us in no doubt that he was determined to go through the difficulties that lay ahead.
Think: What was Peter trying to do with his sword? Is there any place for violence in the Christian life? Why?/why not?
