1 00:00:00,610 --> 00:00:04,170 Speaker 1: Put your sword back into its place, for all those 2 00:00:04,210 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: who live by the sword will die by the sword. 3 00:00:08,500 --> 00:00:16,420 Speaker 1: Matthew 26, 52 Dear Lord, In the quietness of our hearts, 4 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:20,610 Speaker 1: we contemplate the profound truth that those who live by 5 00:00:20,650 --> 00:00:27,330 Speaker 1: the sword die by the sword. In humility we recognize 6 00:00:27,410 --> 00:00:33,430 Speaker 1: that the truth that violence we project over others only 7 00:00:33,490 --> 00:00:38,170 Speaker 1: serves to invite harm upon ourselves. It's a cycle of 8 00:00:38,210 --> 00:00:44,949 Speaker 1: brutality that contradicts the essence of your kingdom. Teach us, Lord, 9 00:00:44,990 --> 00:00:49,130 Speaker 1: to be architects of peace, to use our words and 10 00:00:49,190 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: deeds to build up rather than tear down. May our 11 00:00:55,020 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 1: legacy be one of encouragement, healing, and unity, reflecting your 12 00:01:02,580 --> 00:01:08,940 Speaker 1: love and grace. Grant us the wisdom to understand the 13 00:01:09,020 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: power of our influence, choosing to bless instead of curse, 14 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 1: to embrace instead of exclude. Help us to see your 15 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:26,940 Speaker 1: image in every person, treating all with dignity and compassion. 16 00:01:29,209 --> 00:01:34,630 Speaker 1: In this, let us mirror the heart of Jesus, who 17 00:01:34,670 --> 00:01:43,170 Speaker 1: laid down His life to lift us up. Amen. Thank 18 00:01:43,190 --> 00:01:46,500 Speaker 1: you for praying with me today. You're listening to The 19 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: Jesus Podcast. Epic stories from the Gospel, retold with dramatic 20 00:01:52,220 --> 00:01:57,100 Speaker 1: tension and deep contemplation. Remain here to listen to the 21 00:01:57,240 --> 00:02:02,660 Speaker 1: often untold story of Malchus. His story mirrors many who 22 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: have been hurt by the followers of Jesus and require healing. 23 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,390 Speaker 1: Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing 24 00:02:12,450 --> 00:02:15,730 Speaker 1: so will keep you updated, but also help us get 25 00:02:15,790 --> 00:02:19,730 Speaker 1: discovered by more people. We want the story of Jesus 26 00:02:20,030 --> 00:02:24,250 Speaker 1: to be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. 27 00:02:26,750 --> 00:02:29,410 Speaker 2: Jesus will be in the Garden of Gethsemane In just 28 00:02:29,450 --> 00:02:32,510 Speaker 2: a few hours, he's finishing a meal with the rest 29 00:02:32,530 --> 00:02:35,609 Speaker 2: of his followers. He'll take them there to pray. I 30 00:02:36,570 --> 00:02:40,130 Speaker 2: don't know his plans after that, so we must move swiftly. 31 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: Half of Judah's face was hidden in shadows, and the 32 00:02:44,500 --> 00:02:49,940 Speaker 1: other half illuminated by flickering torchlight. His hands shook slightly 33 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:54,750 Speaker 1: as he stood before the high priest Caiaphas. He had 34 00:02:54,780 --> 00:02:59,419 Speaker 1: already accepted the silver. Now it was time. To give 35 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 1: Jesus up completely. 36 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: Give me a small company of guards. I'm sure he'll 37 00:03:05,460 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 2: go quietly. He wouldn't dare make a scene. 38 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:11,489 Speaker 1: Caiaphas leaned over his desk. 39 00:03:12,230 --> 00:03:15,550 Speaker 3: I once saw a crowd of nearly 10,000 people gather 40 00:03:15,570 --> 00:03:19,610 Speaker 3: to see him preach. I refuse to take any chances 41 00:03:19,710 --> 00:03:23,650 Speaker 3: by sending a few soldiers. The entire temple guard will 42 00:03:23,730 --> 00:03:27,540 Speaker 3: leave with you. 300 armed men should be enough. 43 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: Caiaphas gestured to a servant. 44 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,860 Speaker 3: Malchus, see to it that every man is armed with 45 00:03:33,940 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 3: a sword. Tell them to bring plenty of torches. I 46 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 3: want his followers to scurry like rats when they see 47 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:41,700 Speaker 3: you approaching. 48 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:46,020 Speaker 1: Malchus was a young man with ruddy hair. His beard 49 00:03:46,140 --> 00:03:50,050 Speaker 1: was barely grown, but his eyes were intense and confident. 50 00:03:51,150 --> 00:03:54,270 Speaker 1: He stood up straight and bowed his head to Caiaphas. 51 00:03:54,890 --> 00:03:57,550 Speaker 4: As you wish, High Priest Caiaphas. It shall be done. 52 00:03:58,230 --> 00:04:01,589 Speaker 1: Malchus turned with Judas to gather the detachment of soldiers. 53 00:04:02,810 --> 00:04:06,470 Speaker 1: A few other of the temple servants trailed behind. But 54 00:04:06,510 --> 00:04:09,350 Speaker 1: before they exited the hall, Caiaphas added. 55 00:04:10,050 --> 00:04:14,950 Speaker 3: Malchus, this task is of great importance to the sanctity 56 00:04:14,990 --> 00:04:19,750 Speaker 3: of this temple, the law of Moses, and Adonai. Do 57 00:04:19,870 --> 00:04:20,650 Speaker 3: not fail. 58 00:04:21,390 --> 00:04:22,830 Speaker 1: Malchus bowed his head again. 59 00:04:23,300 --> 00:04:24,500 Speaker 4: Yes, Lord Caiaphas. 60 00:04:25,230 --> 00:04:28,930 Speaker 1: The young man escorted Judas out of the room. Together 61 00:04:28,950 --> 00:04:33,089 Speaker 1: they gathered the detachment of temple guards and soldiers. It 62 00:04:33,150 --> 00:04:36,770 Speaker 1: was a small army, armed and ready to arrest Jesus. 63 00:04:38,850 --> 00:04:42,370 Speaker 1: Malchus was perturbed that one man had caused such a commotion. 64 00:04:43,890 --> 00:04:47,310 Speaker 1: The angry rants of his master had seeped into his 65 00:04:47,390 --> 00:04:48,350 Speaker 1: heart as well. 66 00:04:48,790 --> 00:04:50,430 Speaker 4: Seems excessive for just one. 67 00:04:50,410 --> 00:04:56,210 Speaker 1: Man, Malchus murmured. Judas' eyes darted sideways. 68 00:04:57,050 --> 00:04:58,729 Speaker 2: He isn't just a man. 69 00:04:59,790 --> 00:05:03,790 Speaker 1: Malchus waved off the comment. He was a devoted follower 70 00:05:03,810 --> 00:05:07,230 Speaker 1: of the temple. An enemy of the temple was an 71 00:05:07,310 --> 00:05:12,870 Speaker 1: enemy of his. The soldiers armed themselves, lit their torches, 72 00:05:12,890 --> 00:05:19,070 Speaker 1: and marched for the Mount of Olives. Storm clouds swirled 73 00:05:19,130 --> 00:05:25,130 Speaker 1: above them, like dark vultures preparing to descend. Thunder rumbled 74 00:05:25,170 --> 00:05:29,029 Speaker 1: in the distance, shaking their chests as they marched upward. 75 00:05:30,550 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 1: Malchus walked beside them. Caiaphas' venomous words echoed in the 76 00:05:35,540 --> 00:05:40,339 Speaker 1: chambers of his mind. Who were they about to arrest? 77 00:05:41,620 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: A harmless rabbi or a dangerous criminal? 78 00:05:48,690 --> 00:05:51,770 Speaker 5: When God made mankind, he made us in his image. 79 00:05:52,300 --> 00:05:55,160 Speaker 5: He designed us to be representatives of his character and 80 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,099 Speaker 5: his nature. But with the fall of man, sin was 81 00:05:58,180 --> 00:06:01,089 Speaker 5: swept across God's good creation like a swarm of locusts. 82 00:06:01,770 --> 00:06:05,810 Speaker 5: And as a result, God's greatest creation, us, was fractured. 83 00:06:06,430 --> 00:06:08,750 Speaker 5: And though we may still be made in God's image, 84 00:06:09,130 --> 00:06:12,409 Speaker 5: the ugliness of sin finds ways to slip through the cracks. 85 00:06:12,850 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 5: But Jesus can mend us and heal us from all 86 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:19,990 Speaker 5: of our hurt. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. Gospel stories 87 00:06:20,070 --> 00:06:24,390 Speaker 5: told with cinematic flair and honest reflection. I'm Zach, your 88 00:06:24,430 --> 00:06:27,110 Speaker 5: host from Pray.com, and I'm stoked to be back with you. 89 00:06:27,570 --> 00:06:30,070 Speaker 5: We're nearing the end of our stories of Jesus and 90 00:06:30,089 --> 00:06:33,110 Speaker 5: the outcasts, so make sure to follow the podcast and 91 00:06:33,230 --> 00:06:36,180 Speaker 5: stick around so that you get to finish. Today's epic 92 00:06:36,210 --> 00:06:38,700 Speaker 5: narrative begins after a quiet night of prayer in the 93 00:06:38,740 --> 00:06:42,180 Speaker 5: Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus and his disciples have settled into 94 00:06:42,220 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 5: the upper room of a home in Jerusalem. He washes 95 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:48,570 Speaker 5: their feet, demonstrating his humble servant's heart, and shares a 96 00:06:48,589 --> 00:06:51,750 Speaker 5: Passover meal with them. He institutes the Lord's Supper, or 97 00:06:51,830 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 5: as we might know it, communion, and concludes by giving 98 00:06:54,810 --> 00:06:58,500 Speaker 5: them powerful words of encouragement. He tells them to love 99 00:06:58,740 --> 00:07:02,219 Speaker 5: one another as he has loved us. That, in essence, 100 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,840 Speaker 5: is the embodiment of all of Christ's commandments. He wants 101 00:07:05,980 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 5: us to be people moved and mobilized by love. He 102 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,179 Speaker 5: knew that this would be their last meal together before 103 00:07:12,220 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 5: his death, and he wanted to prepare them for the 104 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 5: days ahead. At the conclusion of the meal, Jesus takes 105 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,740 Speaker 5: his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place they 106 00:07:19,780 --> 00:07:22,820 Speaker 5: had often gone to together. The garden was nestled at 107 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,500 Speaker 5: the foot of the Mount of Olives, a lustrous hill 108 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,660 Speaker 5: filled with olive groves. The spot was also filled with 109 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:32,110 Speaker 5: highly sought-after tombs as a place to honor lost loved 110 00:07:32,230 --> 00:07:35,530 Speaker 5: ones with a beautiful final resting place. With the irony 111 00:07:35,650 --> 00:07:38,370 Speaker 5: not lost to Jesus, this was the place he would 112 00:07:38,410 --> 00:07:42,450 Speaker 5: share his final moments with the disciples before his betrayal, arrest, 113 00:07:42,930 --> 00:07:43,630 Speaker 5: and crucifixion. 114 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: The brook Kidron carried the blood of sacrifices spilling from 115 00:07:49,820 --> 00:07:54,460 Speaker 1: the temple. The water was crimson, cutting through the garden 116 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:59,430 Speaker 1: like an open wound. Judas led the detachment of soldiers 117 00:07:59,510 --> 00:08:03,870 Speaker 1: through the garden. They stopped at a hedge. It hid 118 00:08:03,910 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: them slightly. Although their presence was indeed known by now, 119 00:08:10,060 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 1: they looked over the hedge and saw a group of 120 00:08:12,260 --> 00:08:16,630 Speaker 1: men talking to each other at a distance. The moon's 121 00:08:16,710 --> 00:08:23,250 Speaker 1: silvery gleams were hidden behind storm clouds. Malchus nudged Judas 122 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: and pointed forward. 123 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 4: It's dark. How will we know which man to arrest? 124 00:08:28,540 --> 00:08:30,060 Speaker 4: We can't all spring out at once. 125 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,720 Speaker 2: I will greet him with a kiss. One final time. 126 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:38,900 Speaker 1: Judas replied with a tinge of remorse. His jaw was 127 00:08:38,990 --> 00:08:44,390 Speaker 1: clenched and his palms were sweaty. He was clearly in agony. 128 00:08:45,130 --> 00:08:46,870 Speaker 2: The man I greet with a kiss on the cheek 129 00:08:46,970 --> 00:08:48,250 Speaker 2: is the one you will arrest. 130 00:08:48,809 --> 00:08:53,130 Speaker 1: They watched the group closely. One of them stepped forward. 131 00:08:54,330 --> 00:08:58,670 Speaker 1: He marched over the brook Kidron. His stride was deliberate, 132 00:08:59,350 --> 00:09:02,130 Speaker 1: like an arrow pointed toward a target. There he is, 133 00:09:02,590 --> 00:09:06,950 Speaker 1: Judas whispered under his breath. He stepped out from the shadows. 134 00:09:08,910 --> 00:09:14,770 Speaker 1: Judas appeared like a wolf, sauntering out of its den. There, 135 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:19,780 Speaker 1: under the moon's faint glow, the wolf and the lamb 136 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 1: stood yards away from each other. Hiding the cowardice between 137 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:33,710 Speaker 1: an insincere smile, Judas approached his master and greeted him. Hello, Rabbi, 138 00:09:34,330 --> 00:09:38,700 Speaker 1: he said, accompanied by a kiss. That's the one, Malchus 139 00:09:38,750 --> 00:09:40,900 Speaker 1: pointed at Jesus and looked back at the soldiers. 140 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:42,199 Speaker 4: Prepare yourselves! 141 00:09:43,070 --> 00:09:46,890 Speaker 1: The small army emerged from the shadows behind Judas, armed 142 00:09:47,429 --> 00:09:55,110 Speaker 1: and ready to attack. Jesus looked deeply into Judas' eyes. Sorrow, authority, 143 00:09:56,050 --> 00:09:58,290 Speaker 1: and understanding anchored his voice. 144 00:09:59,059 --> 00:10:01,420 Speaker 4: So this is how you betray the Son of Man? 145 00:10:02,460 --> 00:10:03,140 Speaker 4: With a kiss? 146 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:07,380 Speaker 1: Jesus looked over Judas' shoulder and gestured to the soldiers 147 00:10:07,500 --> 00:10:07,940 Speaker 1: behind him. 148 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 4: Whom do you seek? 149 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:14,989 Speaker 1: Malchus was suddenly nervous. There was a strange shift in 150 00:10:15,010 --> 00:10:18,609 Speaker 1: the air, as if the garden itself was a companion 151 00:10:18,650 --> 00:10:23,710 Speaker 1: of Jesus'. He no longer felt in control. The feeling 152 00:10:23,809 --> 00:10:25,010 Speaker 1: vexed him even more. 153 00:10:25,610 --> 00:10:27,390 Speaker 4: We seek Jesus of Nazareth. 154 00:10:28,190 --> 00:10:31,090 Speaker 1: Jesus' eyes reflected the torches. 155 00:10:31,110 --> 00:10:32,310 Speaker 4: I am he. 156 00:10:32,970 --> 00:10:36,220 Speaker 1: As Jesus answered, something stirred among the heavens and the earth. 157 00:10:37,170 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: Thunder rumbled. Lightning streaked across the sky. And the mighty 158 00:10:42,660 --> 00:10:47,660 Speaker 1: winds of God billowed against the soldiers with veracity, pushing 159 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:51,540 Speaker 1: the men off their feet and onto their backs. Malchus 160 00:10:51,620 --> 00:10:55,030 Speaker 1: flew back with them, hitting the ground and losing his breath. 161 00:10:56,090 --> 00:10:58,550 Speaker 1: The men were quick to recoil and spring back to 162 00:10:58,590 --> 00:11:03,230 Speaker 1: their feet, flustered and confused. Some drew out their swords, 163 00:11:03,910 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: but others cowered back in confusion. Jesus, still calm, asked again, 164 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:17,460 Speaker 1: Whom do you seek? Malchus, shaky and uncertain, replied, We. 165 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,090 Speaker 4: Seek Jesus of Nazareth. I have already told you that 166 00:11:21,210 --> 00:11:23,970 Speaker 4: I am he. All I ask is that you let 167 00:11:24,050 --> 00:11:27,890 Speaker 4: my friends go. They have done nothing wrong. It is 168 00:11:28,050 --> 00:11:28,870 Speaker 4: me you want. 169 00:11:29,590 --> 00:11:34,870 Speaker 1: Jesus stretched out his hands to be bound. Malchus and 170 00:11:34,929 --> 00:11:39,170 Speaker 1: a few soldiers inched forward with trepidation, swords drawn but 171 00:11:39,230 --> 00:11:42,530 Speaker 1: trembling in their hands. But before they could take a 172 00:11:42,590 --> 00:11:47,010 Speaker 1: complete step, one of Jesus' followers shouted, You will not 173 00:11:47,050 --> 00:11:50,260 Speaker 1: take him! Malkus' eyes widened when he saw the large 174 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,830 Speaker 1: man approach. His sword was drawn and raised to strike. 175 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:00,970 Speaker 1: Malkus quickly lifted his sword to parry. The man hopped back, 176 00:12:01,490 --> 00:12:06,950 Speaker 1: then swung downward again, aiming at Malkus' head. Malkus turned 177 00:12:07,010 --> 00:12:09,929 Speaker 1: his body to dodge, but the sword grazed his ear 178 00:12:10,230 --> 00:12:14,850 Speaker 1: and chopped it off. Malkus cried out and fell to 179 00:12:14,890 --> 00:12:19,180 Speaker 1: the ground. Holding his bloodied head and writhing in pain. 180 00:12:20,740 --> 00:12:25,300 Speaker 1: His entire body shook with shock. The other guards jumped 181 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:28,710 Speaker 1: onto the man. He kicked and screamed with his sword 182 00:12:28,750 --> 00:12:29,309 Speaker 1: in his hand. 183 00:12:29,830 --> 00:12:31,069 Speaker 3: Master, run! 184 00:12:31,630 --> 00:12:37,090 Speaker 6: But Jesus didn't run. Peter, drop your weapon. Those who 185 00:12:37,130 --> 00:12:41,390 Speaker 6: live by the sword will die by the sword. You 186 00:12:41,429 --> 00:12:44,190 Speaker 6: have seen my power. Do you not think I could 187 00:12:44,230 --> 00:12:46,940 Speaker 6: have my father send legions of angels to fight. 188 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:51,510 Speaker 4: On my behalf? What is happening must happen for the 189 00:12:51,570 --> 00:12:53,130 Speaker 4: scriptures to be fulfilled. 190 00:12:54,010 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: Jesus calmly walked toward Malchus. The guards raised their swords, 191 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: but Jesus raised his hands and assured them he meant 192 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: no harm. He slowly bent over and picked up Malchus' 193 00:13:08,620 --> 00:13:14,140 Speaker 1: bloody ear from the ground. Malchus whimpered in the dirt. 194 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:19,109 Speaker 1: A rush of hatred boiled up within him. He hated 195 00:13:19,170 --> 00:13:22,090 Speaker 1: what Peter had done to him. He hated Jesus too. 196 00:13:23,270 --> 00:13:25,510 Speaker 1: He didn't ask for any of this. He was just 197 00:13:25,590 --> 00:13:29,010 Speaker 1: following orders. He was being a good servant. 198 00:13:29,650 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 4: Caiaphas was right about them. They're dangerous. They're unhinged. 199 00:13:34,620 --> 00:13:38,740 Speaker 1: The blood dripping from Malchus' head was boiling with rage. 200 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 1: Jesus approached with Malchus' ear in his hand. He raised 201 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 1: it to Malchus' head. 202 00:13:46,340 --> 00:13:47,300 Speaker 4: Get away from me! 203 00:13:47,929 --> 00:13:53,229 Speaker 1: Bitterness and hatred bled out of Malchus, but Jesus remained calm. 204 00:13:54,650 --> 00:13:58,230 Speaker 1: He gently brought Malchus here to his head and whispered 205 00:13:58,290 --> 00:14:06,200 Speaker 1: something unintelligible. Everything was muffled and muted to Malchus. The 206 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: winds shifted and the leaves hushed to some unfamiliar tune. 207 00:14:13,540 --> 00:14:19,860 Speaker 1: Then Jesus removed his hand from Malchus' head Miraculously, his 208 00:14:20,100 --> 00:14:25,140 Speaker 1: ear had been put back in place. Malchus touched his 209 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: ear and looked up at Jesus. He didn't see a 210 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:36,420 Speaker 1: criminal armed for revolution. He saw a healer, armed with 211 00:14:36,460 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: a warm smile, an understanding gaze. Jesus extended a hand 212 00:14:43,940 --> 00:14:49,580 Speaker 1: to Malchus. He accepted it and Jesus helped him to 213 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:54,550 Speaker 1: his feet. The guards released Peter, and the rest of 214 00:14:54,590 --> 00:14:59,530 Speaker 1: the disciples ran away, fearing for their lives. They scattered 215 00:14:59,850 --> 00:15:05,710 Speaker 1: like rats. Jesus raised his voice to the guards, completely 216 00:15:05,830 --> 00:15:07,390 Speaker 1: controlling the situation. 217 00:15:07,910 --> 00:15:10,780 Speaker 4: Daily I taught in the temple, but none of you 218 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:11,660 Speaker 4: arrested me then. 219 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:12,820 Speaker 3: Why? 220 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:16,420 Speaker 4: I will tell you. This is how it must be 221 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 4: for the word. to be fulfilled. 222 00:15:20,140 --> 00:15:23,430 Speaker 1: With those words, Jesus raised his hands for them to 223 00:15:23,490 --> 00:15:28,730 Speaker 1: bind him. The guards sprang into action, passing Malchus with 224 00:15:28,790 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: clubs and rope. They shoved him to the ground, beat him, 225 00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:39,220 Speaker 1: and tied him up. They dragged him away, but Malchus 226 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:45,250 Speaker 1: remained there. He watched them take Jesus and but from 227 00:15:45,310 --> 00:15:51,790 Speaker 1: his angle it seemed Jesus was taking them. Malchus knew 228 00:15:51,850 --> 00:15:57,460 Speaker 1: then that Jesus was not a victim or a powerless captive. 229 00:16:00,140 --> 00:16:03,220 Speaker 1: He held his hands up to his ear and followed them. 230 00:16:05,500 --> 00:16:10,410 Speaker 1: Malchus was still unsure who Jesus was, but he was 231 00:16:10,470 --> 00:16:15,660 Speaker 1: determined to hear every last word he had to say. 232 00:16:21,110 --> 00:16:23,990 Speaker 5: Let's be honest for a moment. Life with other people, 233 00:16:24,210 --> 00:16:28,330 Speaker 5: in whatever capacity, is messy. And this reality is no 234 00:16:28,390 --> 00:16:30,910 Speaker 5: different for the people of God. Though the church is 235 00:16:30,950 --> 00:16:34,350 Speaker 5: a vibrant community filled with God's love, it's also composed 236 00:16:34,450 --> 00:16:37,390 Speaker 5: of imperfect people. As a pastor, I've had a few 237 00:16:37,430 --> 00:16:39,510 Speaker 5: people come up to me and say, the church is 238 00:16:39,550 --> 00:16:42,790 Speaker 5: filled with hypocrites. And my answer to that is, well, 239 00:16:42,830 --> 00:16:46,330 Speaker 5: it's filled with a lot worse than hypocrites. You see, 240 00:16:46,370 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 5: the church is made up of imperfect people, face-planting through life, 241 00:16:49,740 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 5: desperately reaching for God. Though we aim to show everyone 242 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,560 Speaker 5: the tender care and love of God, there are times 243 00:16:55,620 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 5: when we honestly fall short. And the people who are 244 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:02,220 Speaker 5: on the receiving end of that are often left hurt, bruised, 245 00:17:02,380 --> 00:17:06,210 Speaker 5: and scarred. The term coined today is church hurt. People 246 00:17:06,230 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 5: who have grown up in the church or entered into 247 00:17:08,580 --> 00:17:11,699 Speaker 5: the doors of church and had a traumatic and bad experience. 248 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:15,580 Speaker 5: Whether it was the hypocrisy of leadership or passive aggressive 249 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,220 Speaker 5: comments or insults, their experience with God's people left a 250 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 5: bad taste in their mouth and as a result, really 251 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,570 Speaker 5: cut off their ears to hearing the gospel. Such is 252 00:17:25,609 --> 00:17:28,950 Speaker 5: the experience of Malchus, a temple guard who finds himself 253 00:17:28,990 --> 00:17:31,639 Speaker 5: at the wrong end of Peter's sword. Hurt by one 254 00:17:31,660 --> 00:17:34,640 Speaker 5: of Jesus' followers, he projects his pain and anger onto 255 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,500 Speaker 5: the Lord himself. There are many Malchuses in our world, 256 00:17:37,740 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 5: people who have been cut off from hearing the gospel 257 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:42,379 Speaker 5: because of cutting words or betrayal from a member of 258 00:17:42,420 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 5: the church. Countless individuals have found themselves wronged in the 259 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,410 Speaker 5: name of God. But our story reminds us that those 260 00:17:48,430 --> 00:17:50,550 Speaker 5: who have been hurt by the church and God's people 261 00:17:50,630 --> 00:17:53,490 Speaker 5: don't have to remain hurt. Though people may harm us, 262 00:17:53,830 --> 00:17:57,470 Speaker 5: Jesus wants to heal us. Our story begins with Judas' 263 00:17:57,570 --> 00:18:00,210 Speaker 5: private meeting with Caiaphas, the chief priest of the Jewish 264 00:18:00,250 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 5: temple in Jerusalem. This was the moment he locked in 265 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,980 Speaker 5: his decision to betray Jesus, the man who he once 266 00:18:06,020 --> 00:18:09,540 Speaker 5: called a friend. Caiaphas sends Judas with a large detachment 267 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:12,460 Speaker 5: of Roman soldiers and officers from the temple guard. Though 268 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,630 Speaker 5: they may not have known what to expect in apprehending Jesus, 269 00:18:15,910 --> 00:18:18,250 Speaker 5: they were going to prepare themselves for anything. They weren't 270 00:18:18,290 --> 00:18:20,910 Speaker 5: going to let Jesus continue to spread his message any longer. 271 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,860 Speaker 5: As they enter the garden, they are faced with Jesus 272 00:18:23,940 --> 00:18:27,460 Speaker 5: and his ragtag team of disciples. No armies formed from 273 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:30,340 Speaker 5: the masses ready for revolt. No mobs waiting to be 274 00:18:30,420 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 5: set loose with violent revolution. Just 12 men enjoying the 275 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 5: calm of the night. This quickly changes though when Peter 276 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 5: jumps into action to defend Jesus and cuts off Malchus' ear. 277 00:18:41,940 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 5: Peter likely thought he was taking an incredible leap of 278 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:48,660 Speaker 5: faith to defend Jesus. The only problem is Jesus doesn't 279 00:18:48,780 --> 00:18:52,970 Speaker 5: need us to defend him. Just moments prior, Jesus had 280 00:18:53,130 --> 00:18:56,790 Speaker 5: just sent the troops flying onto their backs. Peter's act 281 00:18:56,830 --> 00:18:59,330 Speaker 5: of boldness, as noble as it might have seemed on 282 00:18:59,369 --> 00:19:02,430 Speaker 5: the surface, wasn't what the Lord was calling him to do. 283 00:19:03,130 --> 00:19:04,030 Speaker 2: It's unfortunate to. 284 00:19:03,990 --> 00:19:07,490 Speaker 5: See Peter in this place. Peter allowed his own inflated 285 00:19:07,550 --> 00:19:11,090 Speaker 5: sense of importance get in the way. Maybe Peter's heart 286 00:19:11,130 --> 00:19:13,230 Speaker 5: was in the right place, wanting to protect his teacher. 287 00:19:13,710 --> 00:19:17,130 Speaker 5: The wrong actions taken with the right motives are still wrong. 288 00:19:17,710 --> 00:19:20,530 Speaker 5: What Peter didn't understand is that people aren't the enemy. 289 00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:24,140 Speaker 5: God calls us to prepare for battle, but it's not 290 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:28,260 Speaker 5: a battle against people. Ephesians 6.10 says this, We do 291 00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:31,810 Speaker 5: not battle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, 292 00:19:31,869 --> 00:19:34,369 Speaker 5: against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, 293 00:19:34,450 --> 00:19:37,230 Speaker 5: against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 294 00:19:37,869 --> 00:19:40,429 Speaker 5: We have one enemy, and that's Satan, the one who 295 00:19:40,510 --> 00:19:43,450 Speaker 5: stands opposed to God's will on every front. This is 296 00:19:43,490 --> 00:19:45,650 Speaker 5: why Jesus rebuked Peter in the way that he did 297 00:19:45,690 --> 00:19:49,490 Speaker 5: in Matthew 16. People aren't the enemy. The ones who 298 00:19:49,550 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 5: are opposed to Jesus are lost. We can't view people 299 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,570 Speaker 5: with disdain and contempt. We have to see them with 300 00:19:56,830 --> 00:20:00,169 Speaker 5: eyes of compassion. I have seen many people caught up 301 00:20:00,210 --> 00:20:03,790 Speaker 5: in the same delusions as Peter. You see, Peter thought 302 00:20:04,010 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 5: that Jesus needed his defending. He thought that somehow, someway, God, 303 00:20:09,330 --> 00:20:12,830 Speaker 5: the creator of the universe, the master of the stars 304 00:20:12,910 --> 00:20:16,230 Speaker 5: and the heavens, the one who crafted and formed the cosmos, 305 00:20:16,290 --> 00:20:20,409 Speaker 5: somehow needed his sword. Peter was gravely mistaken, and it 306 00:20:20,430 --> 00:20:23,949 Speaker 5: was an over-inflated ego and sense of importance that had 307 00:20:24,050 --> 00:20:27,030 Speaker 5: caused him to hurt someone. I think about how many 308 00:20:27,070 --> 00:20:29,170 Speaker 5: people in my life I have cut off from hearing 309 00:20:29,210 --> 00:20:32,770 Speaker 5: the gospel because I was harsh or judgmental or mean. 310 00:20:33,510 --> 00:20:36,149 Speaker 5: Sometimes we get so lost in our zealous mission that 311 00:20:36,540 --> 00:20:39,460 Speaker 5: We forget that we're supposed to love people. Think about 312 00:20:39,580 --> 00:20:41,619 Speaker 5: all the people that I have hurt and all the 313 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 5: ears that Jesus has had to put back. Perhaps you 314 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 5: find yourself in a place like Malchus today. Perhaps you've 315 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 5: darkened the doors of a church or you've been a 316 00:20:51,740 --> 00:20:53,600 Speaker 5: part of the church your whole life all to be 317 00:20:53,700 --> 00:20:57,740 Speaker 5: hurt by someone. Someone's cutting or judgmental words have left 318 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:01,619 Speaker 5: a scar. They've left you from hearing truly the love 319 00:21:01,740 --> 00:21:06,290 Speaker 5: of Jesus. Today, know that the imperfections and self-righteousness of 320 00:21:06,330 --> 00:21:11,710 Speaker 5: some of Jesus' disciples doesn't necessarily reflect Jesus himself. Look 321 00:21:11,730 --> 00:21:14,840 Speaker 5: at the gospel. Look at the story of Jesus. Does 322 00:21:14,900 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 5: he seem like the type of person who wants to 323 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:20,139 Speaker 5: cut off your ear and shove you aside? Or is 324 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 5: he the type of person to mend what's been broken 325 00:21:23,380 --> 00:21:26,540 Speaker 5: and restore you so that you can be an agent 326 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:30,570 Speaker 5: of change, love, healing, and justice in this world? Don't 327 00:21:30,609 --> 00:21:33,840 Speaker 5: let the self-righteous, don't let the pompous, And don't let 328 00:21:33,900 --> 00:21:37,000 Speaker 5: the zealous bring you down. Be an example to them. 329 00:21:37,220 --> 00:21:40,179 Speaker 5: An example of love. An example of courage. An example 330 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 5: of temperance. And an example of forgiveness. As we learned 331 00:21:44,619 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 5: in some of our previous episodes, Peter is continually wrestling 332 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 5: with his identity. And this is going to be an 333 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,659 Speaker 5: action he is going to have to repent from and 334 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:55,439 Speaker 5: really wrestle with. People are going to go through their 335 00:21:55,460 --> 00:21:58,060 Speaker 5: own process of redemption. And Jesus is going to take 336 00:21:58,100 --> 00:22:01,580 Speaker 5: them through that process. But as for you, find healing. 337 00:22:02,060 --> 00:22:05,250 Speaker 5: And find restoration. today. If you've been caught in a 338 00:22:05,300 --> 00:22:08,380 Speaker 5: flurry of self-righteousness thinking that God somehow needs you to 339 00:22:08,900 --> 00:22:12,179 Speaker 5: own all the atheists or to prove every single person wrong, 340 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:16,219 Speaker 5: don't get it backwards. God doesn't need your defending. He 341 00:22:16,260 --> 00:22:21,640 Speaker 5: needs your devotion and he needs you to walk with love, compassion, mercy, 342 00:22:21,780 --> 00:22:24,140 Speaker 5: and truth to be a blessing to the people around 343 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,939 Speaker 5: you instead of a hindrance. Thanks again for listening to 344 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:30,580 Speaker 5: the Jesus Podcast. We're going to keep rolling with more 345 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:35,040 Speaker 5: outcast stories and then gracefully go into a whole new 346 00:22:35,100 --> 00:22:38,180 Speaker 5: series on the miracles of Jesus. Can't wait.