"He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 13:9).
Jesus made this statement a number of times, but it took on literal meaning toward the end of His earthly ministry. It involved a man named Malchus, whom you may recall was the high priest's servant who got his ear cut off by Peter as Jesus was being arrested.
One of my favorite preachers is Dr. Dennis Kinlaw from Wilmore, Kentucky, U.S.A. Just before Easter this year, I heard him speak about Malchus, who also was a soldier. To many people Malchus is little more than a biblical footnote; John is the only gospel that includes his name. But Dr. Kinlaw pointed out that Malchus' ear, after it was cut off by the impetuous Peter and then replaced and healed by Jesus, has become a symbol of God's extravagant love and forgiveness for mankind.
John 18:1-14 gives us the details of this incident, where Malchus led a large band of soldiers -- perhaps as many as 250 -- to arrest Jesus. Peter attacks the chief servant, and then Jesus clearly demonstrated who He was by gently chastising Peter and putting Malchus' ear back in place.
Dr. Kinlaw imagined what might have happened when Malchus returned and gave a report to the chief priest:
"Well, Malchus, how did it go?" Caiaphas asks.
"All right, I suppose," the soldier/servant replies. "We arrested Jesus,
but we did have some trouble."
"What kind of trouble?"
"Well, actually one of his followers named Peter took out his sword and attacked me," Malchus explains. A bit puzzled, Caiaphas comments, "Well, you look fine. At least you weren't hurt. Was anyone hurt?"
"Actually, he cut off my ear. There was blood everywhere." "But you look fine --what do you mean, he cut off your ear?"
"I'm telling you that fisherman, Peter, cut my ear off, but then Jesus touched me and restored my ear."
All the normally talkative Caiaphas could say was, "Wow!"
Malchus' ear, you could say, was Jesus' last love note to Caiaphas, the religious leader who wanted desperately to destroy Him.
Even in the midst of the process that would lead to the crucifixion of Jesus, Caiaphas was confronted with vivid evidence of God's love.
In his message, Dr. Kinlaw pointed out every human being has at least one (and usually several) "Malchus' ears" in their lives, little reminders of God's love. He does not leave anyone without witness of His profound love that He offers to them.
Even the most secular of people cannot avoid these reminders: The year 2000, which looks back at the birth of Jesus. The annual return of Easter, as well as Christ-mas. When we read the date on the daily newspaper, it reminds us that Jesus once walked the earth.
Last year the dying of Mother Teresa amidst all the adulation following the death of Princess Diana was another "Malchus' ear." It was the Lord saying to the world, "Let Me show you what a real servant of God looks like," even as much of the world worshipped itself in the form of a beautiful, but tragic Princess.
Almost every musician will agree that the Hallelujah Chorus is the greatest piece of music ever written, but many of these same musicians will deny that it gives them any evidence of God. How can they miss it?
The Lord also gives us individual reminders of His love, our own "Malchus' ears." It could be a waitress in a restaurant or, believe it or not, your lawyer.
As I have traveled, I have seen that one of the greatest and most common of Malchus' ears is the cross itself! Crosses are everywhere: People wear them, often not understanding their significance. In many cities around the world, at the highest point of the city is a cross. You can find them at mountaintops in even the most pagan of cities. I found this to be true recently in Marseilles, France.
Everywhere God is trying to point people to the cross of Jesus that offers real life.
The Easter season is behind us for another year, but let us remain open to the many signs of God's love-just like Malchus' ear. Many thanks to Dr. Kinlaw for helping us to see it -- and hear it. "He who has ears, let him hear."
For the Harvest,
Tim Philpot
President, CBMC International
April 1999