Healing Those Who Hurt Us

Luke 22:50-51 (ESV) And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.

Malchus came out to capture Jesus that night. He was no doubt armed and part of a detachment of soldiers and officers from the high priest sent to put an end to this vagabond preacher from Galilee who was stirring up trouble among the people. He had no good intent toward Jesus. He wanted to see him destroyed. He wanted to see Jesus hurt.

Once Malchus (we know his name from John 18:10) arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane with the rest of the armed squad, Judas gave the pre-planned signed of the kiss, so they would know for certain which of the men in that dark garden was Jesus. As he stepped forward to grab Jesus, the Apostle Peter stepped forward with a sword to prevent him. Not being an expert swordsman, Peter missed the vital organs but cut off Malchus’ ear. I am certain that was painful. To any of us it would have been justified. Malchus had maliciously come to cause Jesus pain. One of Jesus’ closest followers got to him first to prevent it. Turnabout is fair play, right?

Yet, once again, Jesus turned turnabout around. He healed Malchus’ ear. Rather than congratulating Peter on a good attempt or finishing the task he started, Jesus healed the one who came to hurt him. Note that he did not simply “let it go.” He reached out to his enemy and took away his pain.

What pain in your life have you sought to revenge? Perhaps you have congratulated yourself by forgiving and letting it go but cutting off the relationship, too? It is too often true that “hurt people hurt people.” Maybe it is time to take the next step and be like Jesus. Let’s seek the healing of those who hurt us.