We continue to examine the supernatural ministry of Jesus during His time on earth. Today, we reflect on the healing of the High Priest's servant and the miraculous overcoming of a detachment of Roman soldiers:
In his betrayal of Jesus, Judas informed Jerusalem's priests and religious leaders that Jesus could be apprehended in the Garden of Gethsemane. A “detachment” of soldiers was dispatched (John 18:3). The Greek word "speira" refers to this subgroup of Roman soldiers. This fighting force comprised 450 men, in addition to those sent by the Chief Priests and Pharisees. Various estimates suggest that six hundred soldiers were deployed to arrest Jesus.
Why were there so many? They likely expected a fight and thought more of Christ's disciples might be in the garden with Him. The soldiers brought lanterns, perhaps because they believed Jesus would hide. The Lord didn't wait for them to search for Him; He took the initiative by going out of the garden to meet them (John 18:4). Christ was in control of the situation. The apostle John provides us with more details about what happened:
Jesus asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:4-6).
Roman soldiers were not known to be fearful or to fall to the ground quickly. They were prepared for anything as they approached the garden. Imagine the scene. When they claimed they were looking for Jesus, the Lord responded by uttering the divine name in Greek, the name of God, "I AM" (egō eimi). Some may have the phrase "I am he" in their texts, but the word "He" is absent from the original Greek and was added by translators to clarify the statement in English. Again and again, in the Gospels, we see Jesus linking the name of God to various aspects of His character. I am the Gate; I am the Good Shepherd; I am the Light of the World; I am the Way, and so on. When He declared those words, “I AM," it displayed spiritual power that caused hundreds of soldiers to fall to the ground. Jesus made it clear that He was willingly surrendering Himself into their hands. What a sight it must have been—hundreds of men terrified of one Man and His eleven disciples, with only one of them wielding a sword in defense.
In his typical impulsive behavior, Peter struck at the high priest's servant, Malchus, with his sword, cutting off the man's ear. Peter was inviting a confrontation at this moment, but the Lord intervened and gently reminded His disciples to put away their swords, as He had a cup of suffering to drink to take away sin for all humanity. Why didn’t the 450-600 men attack Peter and the disciples? It seems that the presence and power of the Lord intimidated the soldiers. Luke recounts that Jesus touched Malchus’ ear, and it instantly grew back— “he touched the man's ear and healed him” (Luke 22:51). Notice that the healing was immediate. A creative miracle occurred right at the moment of highest tension. There was no searching for the ear to be bandaged. I wonder if Malchus found the severed ear after the Lord was taken away. Even in the most stressful time of His life, Jesus made the time to heal the servant of His enemies. How wonderful He is! Keith Thomas
This meditation is taken from the complete study found in the All Studies box on the Homepage. Click the Gospel of Luke, then study 60, Luke 22:39-53, Jesus at Gethsemane.
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