In the Gospel of John, a unique detail emerges within the narrative of Jesus’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s here, amidst betrayal and looming crucifixion, that we read about Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. This act, impulsive and perhaps intended to defend Jesus, sets the stage for Jesus’s final miracle before his crucifixion: healing Malchus’s ear.
This moment is significant. It is recorded that Jesus healed the ear, a powerful act of restoration even as he faced his own agonizing trial. Yet, when we search the scriptures further, Malchus vanishes from the narrative. Unlike many others who received healing from Jesus and became vocal followers, sharing their testimonies and glorifying God, Malchus remains in silence. This absence raises a poignant question about gratitude and the human response to divine intervention.
Could Malchus be likened to the nine lepers who, after being cleansed, failed to return and express their thanks? Only one Samaritan out of ten returned to praise Jesus for his miraculous healing. It’s a sobering reflection on human nature, then and now. We live in a world where blessings are abundant, yet a deep sense of gratitude and recognition of the divine source often seems absent. The story of Peter cutting off ear and Jesus healing it highlights a profound contrast: violence and healing, action and restoration, yet potentially, ingratitude following miraculous intervention.
Perhaps Malchus, after receiving such a personal and direct miracle from Jesus himself, returned to his life unchanged, his heart untouched by the profound encounter. The silence surrounding him in the biblical record suggests a life lived without public acknowledgment of this divine act. He knew what Jesus had done, he experienced the healing firsthand, yet his story does not become one of resounding testimony or faith.
This narrative serves as a potent reminder, especially as we reflect on our own lives and the world around us. In a time that many believe precedes the return of Christ, are we becoming desensitized to the workings of God? Do we, like Malchus and the nine lepers, receive blessings and miracles, yet remain self-absorbed, failing to cultivate a heart of gratitude and praise? The untold story of Malchus, whose ear was healed after Peter’s impulsive action, stands as a quiet yet powerful sermon. It challenges us to examine our own responses to grace and to ensure that our lives resonate with the gratitude that such divine acts deserve.
