Jesus’ last recorded miracle before the resurrection involved re-attaching the ear of one of his attackers. It happened right after that devious kiss from Judas:

When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

We learn from the Gospel of John that the servant’s name was Malchus, and the man swinging the sword was Peter (the most impetuous disciple). Jesus, however, rebuked the violence and healed the ear.

I wonder how many people noticed? The disciples certainly did, as well as Malchus. Still, the authorities arrested Jesus despite his many miracles. But what did Malchus think as they led Jesus away?

Jesus healed a man who came to do him violence. No faith or even goodwill existed in the heart of Malchus. Jesus demonstrated love toward his attacker and provided yet another transformative example for his disciples. Jesus didn’t need defending by sword-slashing fishermen (he could have called down legions of angels), but Jesus did need to go to the cross. And so he did.

Jesus went to the cross for his followers, Jesus went to the cross for Malchus, and Jesus went to the cross for you and me. Nothing could stop him.

But I still wonder about that man following the crowd, gingerly touching his intact ear caked with blood? Some think he later became a follower of Jesus, since he’s mentioned by name in the New Testament. Unfortunately, we just don’t know.

I hoped he lived a long life, telling the story of that night to his children and grandchildren, and letting them tug on that ear healed by the miracle-worker from Nazareth.

Luke 22 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Damon Hall