COMPASSION UNDER PRESSURE
Luke 22:47-51 CSB
47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
49 When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" 50 Then one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus responded, "No more of this!" And touching his ear, he healed him.
It's way too easy to gloss over the events in the Scriptures. We read them, and they can appear flat and one dimensional. But if we just use a bit of our God-given imagination, we get a better idea of what took place.
Jesus had observed the Passover with His closest disciples. He wanted to have this meal with them before He suffered. Those were His words. Jesus was about to massively suffer in His spirit, emotions, and body. He knew what was coming, yet He still remained composed enough to speak to His disciples about their future.
After supper, Jesus and His disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus agonized in prayer while His disciples slept. Jesus gives the sleepy disciples a correction that applies to us today. "Get up and pray so that you won't fall into temptation." What wisdom. I am thinking those words would make a good screen saver on my phone.
In the garden, the mob came to arrest Jesus. This had to be a tense situation. Not awkward, tense. A mob with clubs and swords shows up with Judas who betrays Jesus with a kiss. Then, the disciples snap to what is happening and ask Jesus if they should use their swords. They only had two, but Jesus had told them to carry a sword the next time they went to spread the gospel of The Kingdom. One of them drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. All the gospel writers mention this event, but it's John who lets us know Peter was the guy. This had to add to the tension of the moment. The disciples are trying to protect Jesus from the mob. The man who got his ear cut off is most likely screaming and holding the side of his face that is now bleeding profusely, and the fear and tension get ratcheted up a few notches.
Then Jesus brings peace to the situation. First, He touches the man's ear and heals him. So this guy goes from having his ear detached and bleeding to being completely healed and whole. Any way you look at that, it's a major miracle. This servant goes from screaming to quiet, and Jesus puts a stop to the violence. Jesus knew what was going to happen. He knew His suffering was going to start immediately, yet He had compassion on a man and healed him. He healed a man who was opposed to Him. A man who came to arrest Him and hopefully see Him die. And yet Jesus had the compassion to heal an enemy. Jesus, under pressure, exhibited a strength we do not fathom. Jesus was and is the strongest to walk the earth.
APPLICATION
How do you do under pressure? You don't have to answer that. Speaking from experience, pressure does not typically bring out the most compassionate side of me. I am doing good to stay quiet and not snap at those around me. So to imagine Jesus under severe mounting pressure, thinking about a hurting man and healing him is amazing.
But it also is comforting. This is the Lord we serve. If Jesus had this composure and compassion on an enemy, how much more those of us who are connected to Him and love Him? He does not overreact at our failures and weaknesses. He is there to help us, comfort us, and help us by His Holy Spirit to get back on track. We absolutely have the best Lord and the One most worthy of our devotion.
PRAYER
Thank You, Jesus, for Your example of strength and compassion. Thank You that Your interactions with me bring help, and hope, and a confidence that I am serving the One who is the very best.