WHAT BECAME OF THE LAST MAN HEALED BY JESUS?
The last man that received the healing touch of Jesus was one of the men that came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemene. According to John, the man’s name was “Malchus” (John 18:10), a servant of the high priest, and it was Simon Peter who cut off his ear with a sword. Even so, Jesus healed the man’s ear with a touch. Many had felt the healing touch of Jesus throughout His years of ministry, but Malchus was unique. He came as an enemy against Jesus. Even so, he was the last man recorded in the gospels to be healed by Jesus.
Or was he? Unique, I mean? For haven’t we all started out as enemies of Jesus? Rather than bowing the knee to Him as Lord, we want to be in charge and tell Him where to go and what to do for us. As the apostle Paul wrote, “You were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ” (Col. 1:21-22).
I wonder. What became of Malchus? Did John mention him by name because he later became a follower of Jesus? Did Malchus tell the story of how Jesus had healed him even though he had come as an enemy? Did he remember the gentle and healing touch of Jesus every time he scratched his ear?
Malchus may have been the last to have Jesus physically touch his ear. Yet, Jesus is still touching and healing our spiritual ears today, so that we might hear His voice and believe. As Jesus often said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matt. 11:15).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are reminded that we are no better than Malchus. For we were once Your enemies because of sin. Yet while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. O what great love this is! Thank you for giving us ears to hear and hearts to believe this great and wonderful Good News! In Jesus’ name, amen.