…a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, “Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”  When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Jesus said, “Let them be. Even in this.” Then, touching the servant’s ear, he healed him.          Luke 22:47-51

This was the last miracle performed by Jesus before his arrest and crucifixion, and it’s notable for a few reasons.  First, the authorities rushing forward in their attempt to “cancel” Jesus ignore this event at the soon-to-occur trial.  You would think a violent (even criminal) act by a follower of Jesus would be of utmost importance in proving their case against Christ, but there is no record it was used against him—perhaps because there was no evidence it happened due to the healing—or because acknowledging the attack meant also acknowledging the healing—or because Christ followed up with words making clear he would not advocate violence.

Next, Luke is the only gospel writer to mention the healing which followed Peter’s attack.  Maybe this is noteworthy to Luke because he is a physician—impressed by this aspect of the event and more concerned with human health-and-wellbeing than the other disciples.  How fitting, though, that the last miracle in ministry before death is Christ patiently “fixing” an impulsive, well-intentioned act-gone-wrong by one of those closest to Him.  This gives me hope for me.

Finally, for those who like to take the Good Book literally (and/or with a touch of humor), this event gives a striking reminder, bringing a visual to the admonition of Matthew 11:15, “He that hath an ear, let him hear.”