Give it to Jesus

Give it to Jesus
Words of Faith 3-8-17
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 18
[10] Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
[11] Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

Peter’s action reveals to us something of His character. He was often impetuous, quick to act, and at his heart quite loyal. Realizing that Jesus was endangered, Peter was courageous enough to come to his defense and risk his own safety by doing so.
To this extent, Peter justified his boastful promise that if all others should forsake Jesus, he would not (John 13:37; Mark 14:29-31). But Peter’s action was clearly an act of the flesh. The flailing attempt with the sword was his invented solution in a frightening situation. It was a terrible misstep that could have gotten all the disciples killed on the spot.
Peter was either unskilled with the sword of too excited to aim well. He lopped off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant. There is evidence in the language used that Malchus was the special deputy of the High Priest and was likely overseeing the operation on his behalf. This would have made him much more than a common slave. He was probably the most trusted man in the household of the High Priest.
Jesus' intervention declared His disapproval of Peter's sudden and violent act. Had Jesus desired defense, He could have summoned angelic aid, but he did not do so. Matthew records the words of the Lord: “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) This was a moment of surrender, not capture. Jesus was prepared for this moment and the suffering that was ahead.
Luke alone records for us the added information that Jesus healed the man’s ear (Luke 22:51). This was more than an amazing touch of love for His enemies! It very likely became a life-changing event for a man who served at the very core of the household of Caiaphas.
The very remembrance and record of his name and these events may indicate that Malchus eventually became active in the Jerusalem church and told his testimony to Luke. It is a powerful act of reconciliation that spoke to the house of Caiaphas undeniably.
What wonderful Lord we serve! What marvelous grace abounds! Even when we act in our flesh, He is there to fix and repair the damage done. Even when we run ahead of Him, His plans are not disturbed. Even when we fail to listen, His compassion extends to those who are enemies of God that they may be reconciled to Him.
Is there something you have messed up? Give it to Jesus. Is there a timing that you have rushed? Surrender it to him. Is there a pain or loss that you have experienced? He can turn that loss into healing and a source of strength.

Lord, I am so very thankful that You take the time to fix things. I am so very grateful that You are not the God of a second chance but the God of divine opportunity. Thank You for turning my missteps into moments of healing and my errors into acts of reconciliation. In Jesus’ name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2002, 2017
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.