Sword and Ear~

We all know the story of when Jesus was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He had taken Peter, James and John with him to pray the night before his crucifixion.

All but Jesus fell asleep until they heard the sound of the Roman soldiers marching in .

We are told in John 18 how Peter sliced off the ear of Malchus ( the high priest's servant)  before Jesus could tell him to put away his sword.

John 18:10

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Jesus picked up the severed ear and placed it back on Malchus head.......

This my friends was His last miracle he performed before he was crucified and it was to heal one who had been hurt by his own disciple.

WOW!!

How many times in life, do we God's children, use the sword of the Spirit ( God's word) and hurt other in the process??

Do we stand behind God's word to justify our actions, our hurts and anger?

Are we cutting off ears with our swords (words)?

In reading Jon Courson's Application Commentary (New Testament) this was some of the questions he brings up in his topical study.

This has really hit some marks with me........

I pray daily to be more of Him and less of me, so you can just imagine how many light bulbs went off in my little ol' brain...

Sheesh!!!!

I began to ask.....

Lord do I cut off ears?

Have I unsheathed my sword??

Am I hurting others??

It is through God's word we are to lift others up.....

To encourage.....

To correct not destroy......

To give guidance and wisdom.......

To love unconditionally......

God does not intend for us to draw our swords for destruction and judgement of others.

In the words of Jon Courson....

" How many times do we quote scripture and recite verses only to bloody and beat people with our spirituality?"

Once again......

Are we standing behind God's word to justify our actions and or words????

For me, I choose not to cut off ears with my sword.

I want to be more like Jesus and in doing so, extending love no matter the circumstance and or situation.

( Goes back to taking the highroad)

We may mean well when we draw our sword, but before we strike,  we must stop and ask .....

Is this love or ear cutting???

Over the last few days I have had to re-evaluate my sword and to be honest there have been times I truly don't like the reasons why I unsheathed it.

Yes I am still a work in progress.....

And I believe and know He will complete HIS work in me!!!

Praise God!!!!

We are to preach the good news......

(God's love and salvation)

We were never instructed to beat and bloody others.......

Regardless of our emotions....

I encourage you, as well as myself, when we draw our swords,stop and ask.....

Am I cutting off an ear or am administering healing as Jesus did?

God wants ALL his children healed.....

Not destroyed~

xoxoxox

Stacey

Mark 16:15

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.

* Photo Credit- Passion Movie. I take no credit for photo*