In his Sunday (July 6, 2025) message, Pastor Jarred Peine at Pathway Wichita mentioned an interesting point about Peter cutting off the man’s ear at Gethsemane, and then Jesus healing him on the spot.
Usually when these verses are discussed, the subject is Peter’s impulsiveness But Jarred mentioned something I had not thought about before.
He said Jesus healed Malchus’ ear in such a way so that it was as if nothing had happened to it. If he had not done so, Peter would have been on trial along with Jesus.
A few important points before we go on. Malchus, who lost his ear, was the servant of the High priest Caiaphas and therefore obviously had some important connections. Peter was, in fact, impulsive, but that is not our topic for today. And then there is that all four Gospels mention this incident. However, only Dr. Luke mentions the ear being healed. It was probably something that would get the attention of a Doctor.
Pastor Jarrod said that if Malchus’ ear had not been perfectly healed, Peter would have been on trial along with Jesus. But Jesus’ healing removed all evidence of the incident. It was just as if the ear had never been cut off. And Jesus stood trial all by Himself.
There is much in these few words. Jesus can heal us the same way He healed Malchus, just as if we had never sinned. Is that not the definition of justification?
And just a Peter does not have to go on trial because of Jesus’ work, neither do we! Jesus takes our place!
It is a picture.
Jesus perfectly heals. He made Malchus whole that morning in the Garden and he can make us whole in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.
Dr. Luke tells us Jesus not only healed the ear, but He also asked first. “But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.”
Luke.22.51
He will touch and heal you as well if you will only permit Him to.
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