1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:04,180 Speaker 1: Put your sword back into its place, for all those 2 00:00:04,220 --> 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 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:27,350 Speaker 1: the sword die by the sword. In humility, we recognize 6 00:00:27,410 --> 00:00:33,450 Speaker 1: that the truth that violence we project over others only 7 00:00:33,510 --> 00:00:38,170 Speaker 1: serves to invite harm upon ourselves. It's a cycle of 8 00:00:38,210 --> 00:00:44,950 Speaker 1: brutality that contradicts the essence of your kingdom. Teach us, Lord, 9 00:00:44,990 --> 00:00:49,160 Speaker 1: to be architects of peace, to use our words and 10 00:00:49,220 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: deeds to build up rather than tear down. May our 11 00:00:55,040 --> 00:01:02,540 Speaker 1: legacy be one of encouragement, healing, and unity, reflecting your 12 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:08,959 Speaker 1: love and grace. Grant us the wisdom to understand the 13 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:14,150 Speaker 1: power of our influence, choosing to bless instead of curse, 14 00:01:15,470 --> 00:01:20,729 Speaker 1: to embrace instead of exclude. Help us to see your 15 00:01:20,850 --> 00:01:26,979 Speaker 1: image in every person, treating all with dignity and compassion. 16 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:34,630 Speaker 1: In this, let us mirror the heart of Jesus, who 17 00:01:34,690 --> 00:01:43,170 Speaker 1: laid down His life to lift us up. Amen. Thank 18 00:01:43,209 --> 00:01:46,510 Speaker 1: you for praying with me today. You're listening to The 19 00:01:46,569 --> 00:01:52,140 Speaker 1: Jesus Podcast. Epic stories from the Gospel, retold with dramatic 20 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 1: tension and deep contemplation. Remain here to listen to the 21 00:01:57,260 --> 00:02:02,660 Speaker 1: often untold story of Malchus. His story mirrors many who 22 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: have been hurt by the followers of Jesus and require healing. 23 00:02:26,750 --> 00:02:29,410 Speaker 2: Jesus will be in the Garden of Gethsemane in just 24 00:02:29,450 --> 00:02:32,530 Speaker 2: a few hours. He's finishing a meal with the rest 25 00:02:32,550 --> 00:02:35,630 Speaker 2: of his followers. He'll take them there to pray. I 26 00:02:36,570 --> 00:02:40,150 Speaker 2: don't know his plans after that, so we must move swiftly. 27 00:02:40,910 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: Half of Judah's face was hidden in shadows, and the 28 00:02:44,500 --> 00:02:49,940 Speaker 1: other half illuminated by flickering torchlight. His hands shook slightly 29 00:02:50,700 --> 00:02:54,739 Speaker 1: as he stood before the high priest Caiaphas. He had 30 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:59,429 Speaker 1: already accepted the silver Now it was time to give 31 00:02:59,490 --> 00:03:00,889 Speaker 1: Jesus up completely. 32 00:03:02,250 --> 00:03:05,450 Speaker 2: Give me a small company of guards. I'm sure he'll 33 00:03:05,470 --> 00:03:08,820 Speaker 2: go quietly. He wouldn't dare make a scene. 34 00:03:09,900 --> 00:03:11,500 Speaker 1: Caiaphas leaned over his desk. 35 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,080 Speaker 3: I once saw a crowd of nearly ten thousand people 36 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:19,060 Speaker 3: gather to see him preach. I refuse to take any 37 00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:23,380 Speaker 3: chances by sending a few soldiers. The entire temple guard 38 00:03:23,419 --> 00:03:27,549 Speaker 3: will leave with you. Three hundred armed men should be enough. 39 00:03:28,250 --> 00:03:29,890 Speaker 1: Caiaphas gestured to a servant. 40 00:03:30,330 --> 00:03:33,870 Speaker 3: Malchus, see to it that every man is armed with 41 00:03:33,950 --> 00:03:38,210 Speaker 3: a sword. Tell them to bring plenty of torches. I 42 00:03:38,250 --> 00:03:41,010 Speaker 3: want his followers to scurry like rats when they see 43 00:03:41,030 --> 00:03:41,710 Speaker 3: you approaching. 44 00:03:42,250 --> 00:03:46,030 Speaker 1: Malchus was a young man with ruddy hair. His beard 45 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:50,060 Speaker 1: was barely grown, but his eyes were intense and confident. 46 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:54,260 Speaker 1: He stood up straight and bowed his head to Caiaphas. 47 00:03:54,890 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 4: As you wish, High Priest Caiaphas. It shall be done. 48 00:03:58,250 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 1: Malchus turned with Judas to gather the detachment of soldiers. 49 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: A few other of the temple servants trailed behind. But 50 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 1: before they exited the hall, Caiaphas added. 51 00:04:10,060 --> 00:04:14,970 Speaker 3: Malchus, this task is of great importance to the sanctity 52 00:04:15,010 --> 00:04:19,770 Speaker 3: of this temple, the law of Moses, and Adonai. Do 53 00:04:19,910 --> 00:04:20,690 Speaker 3: not fail. 54 00:04:21,430 --> 00:04:22,850 Speaker 1: Malchus bowed his head again. 55 00:04:23,330 --> 00:04:24,510 Speaker 4: Yes, Lord Caiaphas. 56 00:04:25,230 --> 00:04:28,950 Speaker 1: The young man escorted Judas out of the room. Together 57 00:04:28,970 --> 00:04:33,110 Speaker 1: they gathered the detachment of temple guards and soldiers. It 58 00:04:33,150 --> 00:04:36,789 Speaker 1: was a small army, armed and ready to arrest Jesus. 59 00:04:38,850 --> 00:04:42,370 Speaker 1: Malchus was perturbed that one man had caused such a commotion. 60 00:04:43,910 --> 00:04:47,330 Speaker 1: The angry rants of his master had seeped into his 61 00:04:47,390 --> 00:04:52,170 Speaker 1: heart as well. Seems excessive for just one man, Malchus murmured. 62 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 1: Judah's eyes darted sideways. 63 00:04:57,060 --> 00:04:58,739 Speaker 2: He isn't just a man. 64 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,810 Speaker 1: Malchus waved off the comment. He was a devoted follower 65 00:05:03,820 --> 00:05:07,250 Speaker 1: of the temple. An enemy of the temple was an 66 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:12,890 Speaker 1: enemy of his. The soldiers armed themselves, lit their torches, 67 00:05:13,510 --> 00:05:19,070 Speaker 1: and marched for the mount of palms. Storm clouds swirled 68 00:05:19,150 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: above them, like dark vultures preparing to descend. Thunder rumbled 69 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:29,050 Speaker 1: in the distance, shaking their chests as they marched upward. 70 00:05:30,570 --> 00:05:35,470 Speaker 1: Malchus walked beside them. Caiaphas' venomous words echoed in the 71 00:05:35,550 --> 00:05:40,360 Speaker 1: chambers of his mind. Who were they about to arrest? 72 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,620 Speaker 1: A harmless rabbi or a dangerous criminal? 73 00:05:48,700 --> 00:05:51,790 Speaker 5: When God made mankind, he made us in his image. 74 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,180 Speaker 5: He designed us to be representatives of his character and 75 00:05:55,260 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 5: his nature. But with the fall of man, sin was 76 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,110 Speaker 5: swept across God's good creation like a swarm of locusts. 77 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,830 Speaker 5: And as a result, God's greatest creation, us, was fractured. 78 00:06:06,450 --> 00:06:08,750 Speaker 5: And though we may still be made in God's image, 79 00:06:09,150 --> 00:06:12,429 Speaker 5: the ugliness of sin finds ways to slip through the cracks. 80 00:06:12,870 --> 00:06:15,690 Speaker 5: But Jesus can mend us and heal us from all 81 00:06:15,710 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 5: of our hurt. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. Gospel stories 82 00:06:20,060 --> 00:06:24,409 Speaker 5: told with cinematic flair and honest reflection. I'm Zach, your 83 00:06:24,430 --> 00:06:27,130 Speaker 5: host from Pray.com, and I'm stoked to be back with you. 84 00:06:27,589 --> 00:06:30,070 Speaker 5: We're nearing the end of our stories of Jesus and 85 00:06:30,110 --> 00:06:33,130 Speaker 5: the outcasts, so make sure to follow the podcast and 86 00:06:33,250 --> 00:06:36,190 Speaker 5: stick around so that you get to finish. Today's epic 87 00:06:36,230 --> 00:06:38,690 Speaker 5: narrative begins after a quiet night of prayer in the 88 00:06:38,730 --> 00:06:42,180 Speaker 5: Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus and his disciples have settled into 89 00:06:42,220 --> 00:06:44,940 Speaker 5: the upper room of a home in Jerusalem. He washes 90 00:06:44,980 --> 00:06:48,590 Speaker 5: their feet, demonstrating his humble servant's heart, and shares a 91 00:06:48,610 --> 00:06:51,770 Speaker 5: Passover meal with them. He institutes the Lord's Supper, or 92 00:06:51,850 --> 00:06:54,810 Speaker 5: as we might know it, communion, and concludes by giving 93 00:06:54,830 --> 00:06:58,510 Speaker 5: them powerful words of encouragement. He tells them to love 94 00:06:58,750 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 5: one another as he has loved us. That, in essence, 95 00:07:02,300 --> 00:07:05,860 Speaker 5: is the embodiment of all of Christ's commandments. He wants 96 00:07:05,980 --> 00:07:10,020 Speaker 5: us to be people moved and mobilized by love. He 97 00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:12,179 Speaker 5: knew that this would be their last meal together before 98 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,540 Speaker 5: his death, and he wanted to prepare them for the 99 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 5: days ahead. At the conclusion of the meal, Jesus takes 100 00:07:17,380 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 5: his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place they 101 00:07:19,780 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 5: had often gone to together. The garden was nestled at 102 00:07:22,860 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 5: the foot of the Mount of Olives, a lustrous hill 103 00:07:25,620 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 5: filled with olive groves. The spot was also filled with 104 00:07:28,740 --> 00:07:32,100 Speaker 5: highly sought-after tombs as a place to honor lost loved 105 00:07:32,220 --> 00:07:35,540 Speaker 5: ones with a beautiful final resting place. With the irony 106 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:38,380 Speaker 5: not lost to Jesus, this was the place he would 107 00:07:38,420 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 5: share his final moments with the disciples before his betrayal, arrest, 108 00:07:42,940 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 5: and crucifixion. 109 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: The brook Kidron carried the blood of sacrifices spilling from 110 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 1: the temple. The water was crimson, cutting through the garden 111 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:59,450 Speaker 1: like an open wound. Judas led the detachment of soldiers 112 00:07:59,530 --> 00:08:03,870 Speaker 1: through the garden. They stopped at a hedge. It hid 113 00:08:03,910 --> 00:08:08,970 Speaker 1: them slightly. Although their presence was indeed known by now, 114 00:08:10,050 --> 00:08:12,190 Speaker 1: they looked over the hedge and saw a group of 115 00:08:12,250 --> 00:08:16,630 Speaker 1: men talking to each other at a distance. The moon's 116 00:08:16,710 --> 00:08:23,270 Speaker 1: silvery gleams were hidden behind storm clouds. Malchus nudged Judas 117 00:08:23,810 --> 00:08:24,730 Speaker 1: and pointed forward. 118 00:08:25,310 --> 00:08:25,950 Speaker 2: It's dark. 119 00:08:26,450 --> 00:08:28,810 Speaker 4: How will we know which man to arrest? We can't 120 00:08:28,860 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 4: all spring out at once. 121 00:08:31,060 --> 00:08:32,580 Speaker 2: I will greet him with a kiss. 122 00:08:33,900 --> 00:08:37,179 Speaker 1: One final time. Judas replied with a tinge of remorse. 123 00:08:38,260 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: His jaw was clenched and his palms were sweaty. He 124 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: was clearly in agony. 125 00:08:45,130 --> 00:08:46,890 Speaker 2: The man I greet with a kiss on the cheek 126 00:08:46,970 --> 00:08:48,270 Speaker 2: is the one you will arrest. 127 00:08:48,809 --> 00:08:53,130 Speaker 1: They watched the group closely. One of them stepped forward. 128 00:08:54,330 --> 00:08:58,690 Speaker 1: He marched over the brook Kidron. His stride was deliberate, 129 00:08:59,370 --> 00:09:02,130 Speaker 1: like an arrow pointed toward a target. There he is, 130 00:09:02,590 --> 00:09:06,970 Speaker 1: Judas whispered under his breath. He stepped out from the shadows. 131 00:09:08,910 --> 00:09:14,770 Speaker 1: Judas appeared like a wolf sauntering out of its den. There, 132 00:09:15,140 --> 00:09:19,780 Speaker 1: under the moon's faint glow, the wolf and the lamb 133 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:25,700 Speaker 1: stood yards away from each other. Hiding the cowardice between 134 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:33,730 Speaker 1: an insincere smile, Judas approached his master and greeted him. Hello, Rabbi, 135 00:09:34,330 --> 00:09:36,490 Speaker 1: he said, accompanied by a kiss. 136 00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:37,750 Speaker 4: That's the one! 137 00:09:38,370 --> 00:09:40,910 Speaker 1: Malchus pointed at Jesus and looked back at the soldiers. 138 00:09:41,250 --> 00:09:42,220 Speaker 3: Prepare yourselves! 139 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,900 Speaker 1: The small army emerged from the shadows behind Judas, armed 140 00:09:47,420 --> 00:09:55,130 Speaker 1: and ready to attack. Jesus looked deeply into Judas' eyes. Sorrow, authority, 141 00:09:56,050 --> 00:09:58,290 Speaker 1: and understanding anchored his voice. 142 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 4: So this is how you betray the Son of Man? 143 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:06,660 Speaker 1: With a kiss? Jesus looked over Judah's shoulder and gestured 144 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:07,940 Speaker 1: to the soldiers behind him. 145 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 4: Whom do you seek? 146 00:10:10,260 --> 00:10:14,979 Speaker 1: Malchus was suddenly nervous. There was a strange shift in 147 00:10:15,020 --> 00:10:18,619 Speaker 1: the air, as if the garden itself was a companion 148 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:23,730 Speaker 1: of Jesus's. He no longer felt in control. The feeling 149 00:10:23,830 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 1: vexed him even more. 150 00:10:25,610 --> 00:10:27,410 Speaker 4: We seek Jesus of Nazareth. 151 00:10:28,210 --> 00:10:30,290 Speaker 1: Jesus' eyes reflected the torches. 152 00:10:30,990 --> 00:10:32,350 Speaker 4: I am he. 153 00:10:32,970 --> 00:10:36,230 Speaker 1: As Jesus answered, something stirred among the heavens and the earth. 154 00:10:37,190 --> 00:10:42,530 Speaker 1: Thunder rumbled. Lightning streaked across the sky. And the mighty 155 00:10:42,670 --> 00:10:47,680 Speaker 1: winds of God billowed against the soldiers with veracity, pushing 156 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 1: the men off their feet and onto their backs. Malchus 157 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:55,020 Speaker 1: flew back with them, hitting the ground and losing his breath. 158 00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:58,570 Speaker 1: The men were quick to recoil and spring back to 159 00:10:58,590 --> 00:11:03,250 Speaker 1: their feet, flustered and confused. Some drew out their swords, 160 00:11:03,910 --> 00:11:09,929 Speaker 1: but others cowered back in confusion. Jesus, still calm, asked again, 161 00:11:10,570 --> 00:11:17,439 Speaker 1: Whom do you seek? Malchus, shaky and uncertain, replied, We. 162 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,100 Speaker 4: Seek Jesus of Nazareth. I have already told you that 163 00:11:21,230 --> 00:11:23,990 Speaker 4: I am he. All I ask is that you let 164 00:11:24,050 --> 00:11:27,910 Speaker 4: my friends go. They have done nothing wrong. It is 165 00:11:28,070 --> 00:11:28,870 Speaker 4: me you want. 166 00:11:29,610 --> 00:11:34,890 Speaker 1: Jesus stretched out his hands to be bound. Malchus and 167 00:11:34,929 --> 00:11:39,190 Speaker 1: a few soldiers inched forward with trepidation, swords drawn, but 168 00:11:39,250 --> 00:11:42,550 Speaker 1: trembling in their hands. But before they could take a 169 00:11:42,610 --> 00:11:47,030 Speaker 1: complete step, one of Jesus' followers shouted, You will not 170 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:50,280 Speaker 1: take him! Malkus' eyes widened when he saw the large 171 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 1: man approach. His sword was drawn and raised to strike. 172 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 1: Malkus quickly lifted his sword to parry. The man hopped back, 173 00:12:01,500 --> 00:12:06,969 Speaker 1: then swung downward again, aiming at Malkus' head. Malkus turned 174 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,929 Speaker 1: his body to dodge, but the sword grazed his ear 175 00:12:10,250 --> 00:12:14,870 Speaker 1: and chopped it off. Malkus cried out and fell to 176 00:12:14,890 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: the ground. Holding his bloodied head, and writhing in pain. 177 00:12:20,740 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: His entire body shook with shock. The other guards jumped 178 00:12:25,420 --> 00:12:28,709 Speaker 1: onto the man. He kicked and screamed with his sword 179 00:12:28,770 --> 00:12:29,329 Speaker 1: in his hand. 180 00:12:29,830 --> 00:12:31,090 Speaker 3: Master, run! 181 00:12:31,650 --> 00:12:33,570 Speaker 1: But Jesus didn't run. 182 00:12:34,010 --> 00:12:38,130 Speaker 4: Peter, drop your weapon. Those who live by the sword 183 00:12:38,630 --> 00:12:42,510 Speaker 4: will die by the sword. You have seen my power. 184 00:12:42,530 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 4: Do you not think I could have my father send 185 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,870 Speaker 4: legions of angels to fight on my behalf? What is 186 00:12:48,910 --> 00:12:53,130 Speaker 4: happening must happen for the scriptures to be fulfilled. 187 00:12:54,010 --> 00:12:58,750 Speaker 1: Jesus calmly walked toward Malchus. The guards raised their swords, 188 00:12:58,850 --> 00:13:03,050 Speaker 1: but Jesus raised his hands and assured them he meant 189 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:08,540 Speaker 1: no harm. He slowly bent over and picked up Malchus' 190 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:14,140 Speaker 1: bloody ear from the ground. Malchus whimpered in the dirt. 191 00:13:15,500 --> 00:13:19,110 Speaker 1: A rush of hatred boiled up within him. He hated 192 00:13:19,170 --> 00:13:22,089 Speaker 1: what Peter had done to him. He hated Jesus too. 193 00:13:23,270 --> 00:13:25,510 Speaker 1: He didn't ask for any of this. He was just 194 00:13:25,590 --> 00:13:30,290 Speaker 1: following orders. He was being a good servant. Caiaphas was 195 00:13:30,350 --> 00:13:31,050 Speaker 1: right about them. 196 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 4: They're dangerous. They're unhinged. 197 00:13:34,630 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: The blood dripping from Malchus' head was boiling with rage. 198 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:45,060 Speaker 1: Jesus approached with Malchus' ear in his hand. He raised 199 00:13:45,100 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 1: it to Malchus' head. 200 00:13:46,340 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 4: Get away from me! 201 00:13:47,950 --> 00:13:53,250 Speaker 1: Bitterness and hatred bled out of Malchus, but Jesus remained calm. 202 00:13:54,650 --> 00:13:58,250 Speaker 1: He gently brought Malchus here to his head and whispered 203 00:13:58,309 --> 00:14:06,200 Speaker 1: something unintelligible. Everything was muffled and muted to Malchus. The 204 00:14:06,260 --> 00:14:11,740 Speaker 1: winds shifted and the leaves hushed to some unfamiliar tune. 205 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: Then Jesus removed his hand from Malchus' head Miraculously, his 206 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: ear had been put back in place. Malchus touched his 207 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: ear and looked up at Jesus. He didn't see a 208 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:36,430 Speaker 1: criminal armed for revolution. He saw a healer, armed with 209 00:14:36,470 --> 00:14:43,850 Speaker 1: a warm smile, an understanding gaze. Jesus extended a hand 210 00:14:43,950 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: to Malchus. He accepted it and Jesus helped him to 211 00:14:49,660 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 1: his feet. The guards released Peter and the rest of 212 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:59,540 Speaker 1: the disciples ran away, fearing for their lives. They scattered 213 00:14:59,860 --> 00:15:05,730 Speaker 1: like rats. Jesus raised his voice to the guards, completely 214 00:15:05,850 --> 00:15:07,410 Speaker 1: controlling the situation. 215 00:15:07,930 --> 00:15:10,770 Speaker 4: Daily I taught in the temple, but none of you 216 00:15:10,810 --> 00:15:12,830 Speaker 4: arrested me then. Why? 217 00:15:12,850 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 1: I will tell you. This is how it must be. 218 00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:21,650 Speaker 1: for the word to be fulfilled. With those words, Jesus 219 00:15:21,750 --> 00:15:26,030 Speaker 1: raised his hands for them to bind him. The guards 220 00:15:26,090 --> 00:15:31,270 Speaker 1: sprang into action, passing Malchus with clubs and rope. They 221 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:34,820 Speaker 1: shoved him to the ground, beat him, and tied him up. 222 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: They dragged him away, but Malchus remained there. He watched 223 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: them take Jesus, but from his angle it seemed Jesus 224 00:15:47,900 --> 00:15:54,490 Speaker 1: was taking them. Malchus knew then that Jesus was not 225 00:15:54,500 --> 00:16:01,010 Speaker 1: a victim or a powerless captive. He held his hands 226 00:16:01,090 --> 00:16:06,410 Speaker 1: up to his ear and followed them. Malchus was still 227 00:16:06,470 --> 00:16:12,150 Speaker 1: unsure who Jesus was, but he was determined to hear 228 00:16:12,430 --> 00:16:15,630 Speaker 1: every last word he had to say. 229 00:16:21,130 --> 00:16:24,010 Speaker 5: Let's be honest for a moment. Life with other people 230 00:16:24,230 --> 00:16:28,330 Speaker 5: in whatever capacity is messy. And this reality is no 231 00:16:28,410 --> 00:16:30,910 Speaker 5: different for the people of God. Though the church is 232 00:16:30,950 --> 00:16:34,380 Speaker 5: a vibrant community filled with God's love, it's also composed 233 00:16:34,460 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 5: of imperfect people. As a pastor, I've had a few 234 00:16:37,460 --> 00:16:39,540 Speaker 5: people come up to me and say, the church is 235 00:16:39,580 --> 00:16:42,820 Speaker 5: filled with hypocrites. And my answer to that is, well, 236 00:16:42,860 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 5: it's filled with a lot worse than hypocrites. You see, 237 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 5: the church is made up of imperfect people. face-planting through life, 238 00:16:49,740 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 5: desperately reaching for God. Though we aim to show everyone 239 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,570 Speaker 5: the tender care and love of God, there are times 240 00:16:55,620 --> 00:16:58,650 Speaker 5: when we honestly fall short. And the people who are 241 00:16:58,710 --> 00:17:02,229 Speaker 5: on the receiving end of that are often left hurt, bruised, 242 00:17:02,390 --> 00:17:06,230 Speaker 5: and scarred. The term coined today is church hurt. People 243 00:17:06,270 --> 00:17:08,570 Speaker 5: who have grown up in the church or entered into 244 00:17:08,590 --> 00:17:11,719 Speaker 5: the doors of church and had a traumatic and bad experience. 245 00:17:12,300 --> 00:17:16,200 Speaker 5: Whether it was the hypocrisy of leadership or passive-aggressive comments 246 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:19,450 Speaker 5: or insults, Their experience with God's people left a bad 247 00:17:19,490 --> 00:17:22,390 Speaker 5: taste in their mouth, and as a result, really cut 248 00:17:22,430 --> 00:17:25,689 Speaker 5: off their ears to hearing the gospel. Such is the 249 00:17:25,750 --> 00:17:29,030 Speaker 5: experience of Malchus, a temple guard who finds himself at 250 00:17:29,070 --> 00:17:32,820 Speaker 5: the wrong end of Peter's sword. Hurt by one of Jesus' followers, 251 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 5: he projects his pain and anger onto the Lord himself. 252 00:17:35,980 --> 00:17:38,419 Speaker 5: There are many Malchuses in our world, people who have 253 00:17:38,460 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 5: been cut off from hearing the gospel because of cutting 254 00:17:40,859 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 5: words or betrayal from a member of the church. Countless 255 00:17:43,780 --> 00:17:46,500 Speaker 5: individuals have found themselves wronged in the name of God. 256 00:17:46,970 --> 00:17:48,790 Speaker 5: But our story reminds us that those who have been 257 00:17:48,890 --> 00:17:51,090 Speaker 5: hurt by the church and God's people don't have to 258 00:17:51,150 --> 00:17:54,869 Speaker 5: remain hurt. Though people may harm us, Jesus wants to 259 00:17:54,910 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 5: heal us. Our story begins with Judas' private meeting with Caiaphas, 260 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,780 Speaker 5: the chief priest of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. This 261 00:18:01,820 --> 00:18:04,940 Speaker 5: was the moment he locked in his decision to betray Jesus, 262 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,980 Speaker 5: the man who he once called a friend. Caiaphas sends 263 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,899 Speaker 5: Judas with a large detachment of Roman soldiers and officers 264 00:18:10,940 --> 00:18:13,380 Speaker 5: from the temple guard. Though they may not have known 265 00:18:13,420 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 5: what to expect in apprehending Jesus, they were going to 266 00:18:16,380 --> 00:18:19,020 Speaker 5: prepare themselves for anything. They weren't going to let Jesus 267 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 5: continue to spread his message any longer. As they enter 268 00:18:22,220 --> 00:18:24,950 Speaker 5: the garden, they are faced with Jesus and his ragtag 269 00:18:24,990 --> 00:18:28,350 Speaker 5: team of disciples. No armies formed from the masses ready 270 00:18:28,490 --> 00:18:31,110 Speaker 5: for revolt. No mobs waiting to be set loose with 271 00:18:31,170 --> 00:18:34,850 Speaker 5: violent revolution. Just 12 men enjoying the calm of the night. 272 00:18:35,390 --> 00:18:38,470 Speaker 5: This quickly changes though when Peter jumps into action to 273 00:18:38,510 --> 00:18:42,910 Speaker 5: defend Jesus and cuts off Malchus' ears. Peter likely thought 274 00:18:42,990 --> 00:18:46,120 Speaker 5: he was taking an incredible leap of faith to defend Jesus. 275 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:50,140 Speaker 5: The only problem is, Jesus doesn't need us to defend him. 276 00:18:50,780 --> 00:18:54,880 Speaker 5: Just moments prior, Jesus had just sent the troops flying 277 00:18:54,940 --> 00:18:58,230 Speaker 5: onto their backs. Peter's act of boldness, as noble as 278 00:18:58,290 --> 00:19:00,990 Speaker 5: it might have seemed on the surface, wasn't what the 279 00:19:01,070 --> 00:19:02,450 Speaker 5: Lord was calling him to do. 280 00:19:03,150 --> 00:19:04,050 Speaker 2: It's unfortunate to. 281 00:19:04,030 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 5: See Peter in this place. Peter allowed his own inflated 282 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:11,100 Speaker 5: sense of importance get in the way. Maybe Peter's heart 283 00:19:11,140 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 5: was in the right place, wanting to protect his teacher. 284 00:19:13,700 --> 00:19:17,140 Speaker 5: The wrong actions taken with the right motives are still wrong. 285 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,590 Speaker 5: What Peter didn't understand is that people aren't the enemy. 286 00:19:21,470 --> 00:19:24,170 Speaker 5: God calls us to prepare for battle, but it's not 287 00:19:24,190 --> 00:19:28,290 Speaker 5: a battle against people. Ephesians 6.10 says this, We do 288 00:19:28,330 --> 00:19:31,830 Speaker 5: not battle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, 289 00:19:31,890 --> 00:19:34,399 Speaker 5: against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, 290 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,260 Speaker 5: against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 291 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:40,440 Speaker 5: We have one enemy, and that's Satan. the one who 292 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,460 Speaker 5: stands opposed to God's will on every front. This is 293 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:45,660 Speaker 5: why Jesus rebukes Peter in the way that he did 294 00:19:45,700 --> 00:19:49,510 Speaker 5: in Matthew 16. People aren't the enemy. The ones who 295 00:19:49,570 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 5: are opposed to Jesus are lost. We can't view people 296 00:19:53,580 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 5: with disdain and contempt. We have to see them with 297 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:00,179 Speaker 5: eyes of compassion. I have seen many people caught up 298 00:20:00,220 --> 00:20:03,810 Speaker 5: in the same delusions as Peter. You see, Peter thought 299 00:20:04,030 --> 00:20:09,260 Speaker 5: that Jesus needed his defendings. He thought that somehow, someway, God, 300 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 5: the creator of the universe, the master of the stars 301 00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:16,220 Speaker 5: and the heavens, the one who crafted and formed the cosmos, 302 00:20:16,300 --> 00:20:20,399 Speaker 5: somehow needed his sword. Peter was gravely mistaken, and it 303 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:23,939 Speaker 5: was an over-inflated ego and sense of importance that had 304 00:20:24,050 --> 00:20:27,050 Speaker 5: caused him to hurt someone. I think about how many 305 00:20:27,090 --> 00:20:29,190 Speaker 5: people in my life I have cut off from hearing 306 00:20:29,210 --> 00:20:32,790 Speaker 5: the gospel because I was harsh or judgmental or mean. 307 00:20:33,530 --> 00:20:36,169 Speaker 5: Sometimes we get so lost in our zealous mission that 308 00:20:36,550 --> 00:20:39,450 Speaker 5: We forget that we're supposed to love people. Think about 309 00:20:39,590 --> 00:20:41,629 Speaker 5: all the people that I have hurt and all the 310 00:20:41,770 --> 00:20:45,530 Speaker 5: ears that Jesus has had to put back. Perhaps you 311 00:20:45,550 --> 00:20:48,730 Speaker 5: find yourself in a place like Malchus today. Perhaps you've 312 00:20:48,780 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 5: darkened the doors of a church or you've been a 313 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:53,619 Speaker 5: part of the church your whole life all to be 314 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 5: hurt by someone. Someone's cutting or judgmental words have left 315 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:01,619 Speaker 5: a scar. They've left you from hearing truly the love 316 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:06,290 Speaker 5: of Jesus. Today, know that the imperfections and self-righteousness of 317 00:21:06,350 --> 00:21:11,730 Speaker 5: some of Jesus' disciples doesn't necessarily reflect Jesus himself. Look 318 00:21:11,750 --> 00:21:14,850 Speaker 5: at the gospel. Look at the story of Jesus. Does 319 00:21:14,910 --> 00:21:17,010 Speaker 5: he seem like the type of person who wants to 320 00:21:17,050 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 5: cut off your ear and shove you aside? Or is 321 00:21:20,180 --> 00:21:23,020 Speaker 5: he the type of person to mend what's been broken 322 00:21:23,380 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 5: and restore you so that you can be an agent 323 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:30,580 Speaker 5: of change, love, healing, and justice in this world? Don't 324 00:21:30,619 --> 00:21:33,850 Speaker 5: let the self-righteous, don't let the pompous, And don't let 325 00:21:33,890 --> 00:21:37,010 Speaker 5: the zealous bring you down. Be an example to them, 326 00:21:37,230 --> 00:21:40,169 Speaker 5: an example of love, an example of courage, an example 327 00:21:40,210 --> 00:21:44,580 Speaker 5: of temperance, and an example of forgiveness. As we learned 328 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:48,100 Speaker 5: in some of our previous episodes, Peter is continually wrestling 329 00:21:48,180 --> 00:21:50,540 Speaker 5: with his identity. And this is going to be an 330 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,659 Speaker 5: action he is going to have to repent from and 331 00:21:52,740 --> 00:21:55,460 Speaker 5: really wrestle with. People are going to go through their 332 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:58,060 Speaker 5: own process of redemption, and Jesus is going to take 333 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 5: them through that process. But as for you, find healing 334 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:05,270 Speaker 5: and find restoration today. If you've been caught in a 335 00:22:05,310 --> 00:22:08,390 Speaker 5: flurry of self-righteousness thinking that God somehow needs you to 336 00:22:08,890 --> 00:22:12,189 Speaker 5: own all the atheists or to prove every single person wrong, 337 00:22:12,850 --> 00:22:16,229 Speaker 5: don't get it backwards. God doesn't need your defending. He 338 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:21,660 Speaker 5: needs your devotion and he needs you to walk with love, compassion, mercy, 339 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,160 Speaker 5: and truth to be a blessing to the people around 340 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,939 Speaker 5: you instead of a hindrance. Thanks again for listening to 341 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 5: the Jesus Podcast. We're going to keep rolling with more 342 00:22:30,700 --> 00:22:35,050 Speaker 5: outcast stories and then gracefully go into a whole new 343 00:22:35,109 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 5: series on the miracles of Jesus. Can't wait.