Malchus’ Ear

Sometimes when I read scripture, I visualize the imagery or events. I feel the texture of Jesus’ garment when the hemorrhaging woman touches its hem. I hear giggles from Jairus’ daughter as Jesus raises her from the dead. I catch a whiff of fragrance as Mary of Bethany pours costly ointment over Jesus’ head in the days before his crucifixion. I often wonder what happens next—to the woman who can become ritually clean for the first time in twelve years, to the preteen who has a new future, or to Mary for having lavished Jesus with the outrageously expensive gift from her alabaster box.

One scene I play out in my mind begins in the Garden of Gethsemane. The story is recorded in all four gospels and it takes all four iterations to provide sufficient details (see below for reference verses). First, a little background: 

In the weeks before Jesus was crucified, the chief priests and the elders gathered at the high priest Caiaphas’ palace to strategize. Together, they “conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.” Realizing that might cause a riot, they decided to wait until after the festival of Passover. But they kept tabs on Jesus—using servants and others to track his movements, listen to his conversations, and report on his activities. Caiaphas needed eyes and ears on Jesus—witnesses whose testimonies could be twisted to trap him.

Jesus and his disciples prepared for Passover, and then shared a meal at which he instituted the Eucharist. After Judas left the upper room to carry out his betrayal, Jesus and the other disciples went to the Mount of Olives. While there, Jesus foretold Peter’s denial. Peter and the other ten each declared they would not deny Jesus. They then walked down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed alone. The disciples slept as they waited. Immediately after Jesus awakened the men and admonished them for failing to stay alert, a large armed crowd arrived with Judas leading the way. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, identifying him so he could be arrested. 

Now for the part of the story that captures my imagination: In the melee, Peter unsheathed his sword, took a wild swing, and cut off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant who accompanied the detachment of soldiers. In the chaos that ensued, Jesus touched Malchus’ ear and healed him before being arrested and removed from the garden. So what happened next to Malchus? He is not mentioned again in the story.

Imagine the “what next” with me for a minute. Caiaphas plotted for months to destroy Jesus. He used all his power—every available resource, including his trusted servant as eyes and ears—to gain damning evidence. He thought he timed it perfectly and fully expected the story to end with the capture and death of Jesus. Yet whenever Malchus entered the room, the story continued. 

That right ear. Caiaphas tried not to look, but he couldn’t help himself. When he closed his eyes, Caiaphas could still see the bloodstain down the right side of Malchus’ robe. He discretely searched for a scar whenever Malchus’ right side was turned toward him. He heard the whispers of the priests, elders, and soldiers as they retold the miracle story. The one enslaved by the high priest, made whole by the Great High Priest. That right ear—once relied on for inside information—now a constant reminder of the power of Jesus that Caiaphas could neither deny nor ignore.

My prayer is that each our lives will so bear the transforming power of Jesus that we, too, will serve as living reminders of his love, grace, mercy, and redemption.   

© Joy Hilley | See Matthew 26:50–54; Mark 14:45–49; Luke 22:49-53; John 18:10–11

“Unfinished” by Joy Hilley Art, private collection