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The Storm Hits

The Storm Hits

Words of Faith 1-29-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 22:47-53

    While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, [48] but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

    [49] When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" [50] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

    [51] But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

    [52] Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? [53] Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns."

 

       We sometimes talk about the calm before the storm.  But that calm always comes to an end.  There is a moment when the forecasting is over.  The predictions are made.  The wind is coming ashore.  This was that moment.  Judas arrived leading the chief priests and temple guard to Jesus.   The events that Jesus had long spoken of were now upon them. 

       Luke recorded several critical elements in the betrayal and arrest of Jesus.  Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. A large crowd including the religious leaders and soldiers (John 18:12) came into the grove with Judas leading them. Judas had agreed on a sign for the people who had come with him-- he would kiss the One they were to arrest. Jesus, by His words, showed that He already knew all about the betrayal, including Judas' secret sign.

       Luke is the only Gospel writer to record that Simon Peter took one of the two swords and struck the servant of the high priest.  The man's name was Malchus (John 18:10).  He was perhaps especially blessed that Peter was not any better with a sword, but in this case, it may not have mattered.  Jesus took the opportunity to perform one last miracle.

       It is a powerful truth that Jesus had compassion for people even in the midst of His own arrest.  His own personal category 6 storm was coming ashore, and Jesus was thinking about others.  This was not a miracle for Himself or even for those closest to Him. 

       Jesus might have smitten the Roman regiment or afforded Himself the least bit of water or comfort while in the dark cell awaiting trial.  He might have done any number of things, but He chose to heal a man named Malchus perhaps to ensure that nothing about His Passion would spill any blood but His own.  Jesus healed this servant and in doing so set a message back to Caiaphas.

         We don't know much about Malchus except that he was a very high level trusted servant.  He was a direct representative of and an observer for Caiaphas.  He was undoubtedly aware of the worries over Jesus and the efforts to entrap Him.  He would have overheard the heated discussions in closed chambers about Jesus His disruption of the Temple.  He may have even heard some of Jesus' teachings. 

         Now, Malchus was among those touched with the miraculous healing power and grace of Jesus.  He was now, personally, undeniable proof of who Jesus was every time he touched that ear or listening to anything through it.

          Jesus pointed up the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Jesus asked them why they had not arrested Him during the day as He taught in the temple. The reason was apparent. It was out of fear of the people that they looked for a way to arrest Him secretly. The arrest in the garden was actually illegal because it was done at night and was accomplished through a hired accuser.  This is why He could tell them, “This is your hour-- when darkness reigns.” Not only were they coming out under cover of darkness, but they were also acting as the forces of darkness to kill the Messiah.

         What do we get from this?  Foremost, that Jesus is always concerned and available.  He is never too busy for you.  Even in the most challenging hours of His human experience, Jesus had time and energy touch and heal.  His schedule is never too busy.  We also see that God is very much in control even in the midst of the harshest storms of life.  He is in control, even when the plan involves a time when darkness appears to reign.  

 

            Father God, thank You for Jesus.  Thank You for allowing Him to go through all this for me.  Thank You that You are still very much in charge.  Thank You for the compassion of Jesus that is never to busy to hear and touch and heal.  In Jesus' name.