The cup of my Father

 

10-11)  “Then Simon Peter, having a sword drew it and smote the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.  The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup, which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?    

Peter, misreading the whole situation, thought the Lord needed some help and with boldness, if mixed with foolishness, was prepared to fight to defend Him.  This was typical of Peter, he lacked nothing of courage, and took the lead in the situation.  The Lord rebuked him, and reminded him what it was all about.  This is the cup of my Father, these protagonists are only the instruments, I must go as my Father commands me.  We note here that John omits the agonising prayers, which others record, in order to focus on the Divine aspect of this.  It was not a duel between Christ and the authorities, it was the compulsion of His Father for the good of all who believed.  We also note that the name of the injured man is recorded as Malchus, only John names him, although all the records mention him.  It may be he became a believer, but there are lessons to be learned here.  Firstly, that in our zeal for the Lord, to defend Him from criticism, we can cut off peoples’ ears, but we cannot repair the damage, only the Lord can and did-it is Luke the beloved physician who notes that the Lord repaired the man’s ear, Luke 23v51.  We see the character of the Lord, that in the face of brutal injustice, He cared for the injured man by restoring his ear.  He was also protecting Peter who might have been arrested but for the healing.  Strange that no one seemed to notice that He instantly healed one of His tormentors, a feat no one else could have performed!  Was Malchus finally a believer?  We hope so, but if not, it was in the face of Divine love shown to him.  The mention of Caiaphas is significant; he was the same Caiaphas who predicted the death of Christ for the nation, and used the situation in terms of expediency.  This is the ultimate excuse-“the end justifies the means”, thus absolving himself of any responsibility for the crime He was about to commit.  A very different view will be given at the judgment which awaits all men.