Bible Lesson: Miracles Of Jesus: Malchus' Ear Healed.
Bible Location: Gethsemane.
Bible Text: Luke 22:48-51 KJV
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?
49 When they which were about Him saw what would follow, they said unto Him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And He touched his ear, and healed him.
Mark 14:47 KJV
And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
John 18:10,11 KJV
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?
Luke 22:48-50 KJV
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?
49 When they which were about Him saw what would follow, they said unto Him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
“Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”
Oh, how “natural,” it is to reach for the arm of flesh! A Christian, and don't think this pertains to you?
Then already, you have failed. To be human, is to be more than inclined to fleshly thinking, and actions.
First and foremost, we are to rely of the living God, for His wisdom, and defense.
2 Chronicles 32:1-8;20,21 NLT
Assyria Invades Judah
1 After Hezekiah had faithfully carried out this work, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified towns, giving orders for his army to break through their walls.
2 When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem,
3 he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city.
4 They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?”
5 Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields.
6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying:
7 “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!
8 He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.
20 Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.
21 And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.
When were the extra walls around the city, the towers, the many weapons, shields, and military officers needed?
Answer: Never.
20 Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.
21 And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army
If all of the countless billions of dollars spent on military might, would be applied to the needy, homeless and, starving of this world, how different would our world be?
II Corinthians 10:3,4 KJV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
If a people could put their lives and trust in the God of the universe, how different things would be, but alas this is a world of the flesh, and fleshly thinking.
We see it in government, and in the church, just as well.
Jeremiah 17:5 KJV
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Our Lord, told Solomon of old...
II Chronicles 7:14 KJV
If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Luke 22:51 NLT
But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.
These were God's men, the disciples, thinking they were doing God's service!
But how wrong, how misguided, they were, well intentioned or not. Misguided good intentions, never have done anyone any good, ever.
How careful, we must be, not to be in the flesh, but to be lead by the Spirit of God.
Proverbs 16:25 NLT
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
Romans 8:14 KJV
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The ear of Malchus, was restored, by the power of the Lord Jesus.
Luke 9:56 KJV
For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them..."
John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Man in his fleshly conduct, is quick to destroy, a mark of Apollyon. Jesus, was a life giver, a restorer of life.
Matthew 7:20 KJV
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
When life is over, what will we look back upon? A life of being in the flesh, having missed God, or a life filled with “life-saving,” works, representing the Lord Jesus Christ?
Everyday the choice is ours.
Being lead by the Spirit of God, is not by choice alone, but by daily consecration to the Lord.
Psalm 4:3 KJV
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him.
Titus 2:11,12 NLT
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
