The Conflict

The Conflict

Matthew 26:49-51, NLT

So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 50Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

Setting the Scene

The religious leaders had not arrested Jesus in the Temple, because they were afraid that the people would riot. Instead, they had come secretly at night, under the influence of the prince of darkness, Satan himself. Jesus offered no resistance. Everything was proceeding according to God’s plan. The time had come for Jesus to suffer and die.

But Peter tried to stop the authorities, pulling his sword and swinging it toward the men, in the process cutting off the right ear of “the high priest’s slave,” a man named Malchus (John 18:10, NLT). Peter was loyally defending Jesus and trying to prevent what he saw as defeat. Luke 22:51 records that Jesus immediately healed the man’s ear and prevented any further bloodshed. Although Peter could have been arrested, he wasn’t—because Jesus handled the matter by healing the man and restraining Peter.

Impetuous Peter had declared that he was ready to die for Jesus (John 13:37), and that’s what it seems he was trying to do at this point. But whether drawing his sword and defending Jesus was a momentary act of loyalty and courage or foolishness, Peter soon fled into the night with the rest of the disciples.

Getting Personal

When you hear or read statements that attack Jesus, how do you feel? How do you respond?

Why do we like to take matters into our own hands, even if we’re not sure it’s how God would want us to act?

What can you do to be more Christlike in responding to “enemies”?

We can easily identify with Peter’s reaction. He loved Jesus, and this torch-lit mini-mob led by Judas the traitor had arrived in the dark to take him away. Peter thought he had to stop it or at least go down fighting, but that was not Jesus’ approach. His way is often countercultural and the opposite of what we would do naturally. Jesus said the last would be first, the humbled would be exalted, and the greatest must be a servant. He told his disciples to become like children, love enemies, and turn the other cheek. His ways are not our ways, but they lead to truth and life.

Talking to God

It was Jesus’ love that kept him from retaliating or fighting back. Ask the Father to give you his love so that you can respond creatively, and perhaps unexpectedly, when confronted with trouble or an attack. Ask him to help you make love your natural response, through the enabling of his Spirit.