Matthew: 26: 51: "And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear." John 18: 10 identified the swordsman as Peter and the victim as Malchus. Luke 22: 51 mentions that Jesus healed the ear of the one attacked. The crowd coming to arrest Jesus may have been as small as 100 people or as large as 500+. The point is that Peter was ready to fight, even though outnumbered. A while earlier, Jesus had asked Peter and others to pray with Him in the garden, but they fell asleep. Peter didn't have the spiritual desire to pray, but he had a carnal desire to fight. That is the way it is with many "unsaved religionists" in the church. Come to a prayer meeting, no way! Come to meetings over an issue in the church, e.g., the pastors preaching against sin, salaries and expenses, or expanding the ministry budget and they will be willing to come to fight. We need the spiritual desire to seek our Lord in prayer. We need to not grow weary in preaching the Word. I have seen this first hand and it is not a pretty sight. Let us be willing to carry the spiritual fight with prayer and fasting and leave the carnal battles to others.
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