Peter’s Ear

We know from John 18:10 that Peter cut off Malchus’ right ear. Luke adds a few more details in chapter 22.

And when those who were around Him saw what was about to happen, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword?
One of them struck the bond servant of the high priest and cut off his ear, the right one. But …And He (Jesus) touched the little (insignificant) ear and healed him. (Luke 22:49-51, AMP)

I wonder if Peter grasped the significance of the ‘ear’ moment. Did it speak to him as it should?

1. Malchus was the bond servant of the high priest. The Law of Moses allowed a slave to become a bondservant voluntarily. (Exodus 21:5-6)
   
   Peter basically declared at supper that he was Christ’s bond servant…’even onto prison and death.’ (Luke 22:33, NIV)

2. Jesus touched that ‘insignificant’ ear and healed the man. Jesus healed the man’s ear, the ear that for a moment couldn’t hear, and totally restored it, just as he did Peter. (Mark 16:7)

   Just as he said to Peter not long before, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”(Luke 22:31-33, NIV)

How many moments like this are meant to speak to us, and we miss them?

Prayer – Lord, when you speak by word or deed, please don’t let us miss them. Amen