[Peter had cut off the ear of the high-priest's servant, probably because he was most active and forward in appre- hending our Lord. But Jesus would not suffer even that small injury to be sustained on his account: he therefore " touched" the wound, and restored the ear to its perfect state. What a marvellous return was this for all the indignities which this miscreant had offered him ! If Jesus had chosen to work a
a Our Lord in his answer to Peter pointed out the various sources of his misconduct. See Matt. xxvi. 52 — 54.
b Matt. xvi. 22, 23. c John xviii. 5—11.
miracle on this occasion, one would rather have expected that it should be such an one, as should make the " ears of all that heard of it to tingle." But mercy was his delight ; and the more unworthy the objects of his mercy were, the more did he glory in displaying " the unsearchable riches of his grace "
Would one not at least hope that this miracle should
disarm his enemies, and make them desist from their purpose ? But, alas ! nothing can prevail with those who are given
up to judicial blindnessd The manner of working the
miracle was scarcely less remarkable than the miracle itself: for lie not only performed it unsolicited, but even asked per- mission to perform it ; saying to those who were binding him, " Suffer ye thus far," " loosen my hands for one moment, that I may exercise them in one more act of benevolence before your eyes." What astonishing meekness and condescension !
Thus, while he more than recompensed the injury
that Peter's indiscretion had occasioned, he shewed to his enemies, that his surrender of himself was voluntary ; and left to his people a most perfect pattern for their conduct when persecuted by an ungodly world.]
From this history we may learn,
1 . To guard against an indiscreet unhallowed zeal —
[Zeal properly directed, is amiable and praiseworthy e: but a " zeal without knowledge" is most injurious to the Christian cause. Paul's conduct in his unconverted state, and the request of two of our Lord's Disciples, may serve to put us on our guard against the fatal mistakes into which even good men may fall f. Let our zeal be ever tempered with love, and regulated by the Holy Scriptures ; else, while it carries us too far on some occasions, it will prove, like Peter's, miserably defective upon others g.]
2, To exercise love towards our most inveterate enemies —
[The Christian's " weapons are not to be carnal," nor must he " war after the flesh." He is to turn the right cheek to him that smites him on the left," and, by rendering good for evil, to " heap coals of fire on the head of his enemies." " Instead of being overcome of evil, he is to overcome evil with good11." Christians, see if this be your conduct And remember
d e.g. Pharaoh was alike uninfluenced by judgments or mercies.
e Gal. iv. 18. f Gal. i. 13. Luke ix. 54.
s Mark xiv. 71. Such persons are compared to "a cake not turned," which, instead of being equally penetrated with heat, is burnt up on one side, and scarcely warmed on the other. See Hos. vii. 8.
h Rom. xii. 19—21.
1580.] peter's fall and repentance. 121
that " Christ set you an example that you should follow his steps1."]
3. To trust in Christ for the healing of the wounds which sin has made —
[No sword can inflict so deep a wound as sin has made. It were a light matter if it had merely killed the body : it has inflicted a mortal wound on our souls. But Jesus can heal us ; nor should any sense of unworthiness prevent our application to him. Let us go to him, and he will add us to the number of* those whom he has made monuments of* his almighty power and his unbounded mercy • — -]