Malchus

Malchus

So, who is Malchus?

You’ve probably not lost sleep wondering about him. He’s one of those obscure figures mentioned in the Bible. Although the incident involving him is sited in all of the four Gospels, only John recorded his name.  

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Malchus is the guy whose ear was hacked off by Peter, who was attempting to defend Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

I always wondered about this man. He must have been quite stunned when Peter’s sword sliced off his ear and then Jesus immediately healed him. 

So, in my imaginings I’ve come up with a short story about Malchus. 

Enjoy: 

Malchus By Connie Wohlford

  

       “Malchus, what on earth is wrong!? ... What is it? What has happened?”

       Hadassah had never seen her husband behave this way. She stood before him, looking into his face as he stared straight ahead with an expression totally unfamiliar to his wife of seven years.

       Then she noticed the blood. There was blood on the right shoulder of his cloak. She examined his neck and head but saw no sign of a wound.

       “Malchus, what has happened? There’s blood on your shoulder! Are you hurt?”

       The young man continued to stare straight ahead—speechless.

       By this time, Hadassah was really concerned, but didn’t know what to think or to say.

       She studied his face, gaining no clue explaining his abnormal behavior.

       He raised his right hand and looked at it. It was covered with blood. His expression became even more alarming as his furrowed brow hinted at concern and fear.

       Seeing the bloody hand, Hadassah gasped. “Malchus, what have you done? Have you hurt someone?” Lowering her voice, “Have you killed someone?”

       Malchus raised his face and looked at her, but his troubled expression didn’t change.

       Hadassah poured water into a basin. Again Malchus looked at his bloody hand then slowly walked over to the basin and washed.

       He sat down on a chair and putting his face into his hands began to weep. When his soft crying turned into sobbing Hadassah walked to the door and latched it, fearing her husband had committed some terrible crime and the authorities would arrive at any minute.

       This strong, patient man who she dearly loved was overcome with emotion beyond anything she had ever seen. Her own imagination took her to depths of fear for him and for herself. All she could do was wrap her arms around his broad shoulders and cry with him. She was scared and wondered what would happen next.

       Finally, his tense body began to relax a little. With hands on his shoulders, she pulled away and looked at his dark curly hair in front of her face. Instinctively, her fingers caressed those locks she adored.

       “Darling, what is it? Please tell me.”

       His reddened tear-filled eyes looked intently into hers and after a long pause, he spoke.

       “Hadassah, tonight I took part in a horrible deed. Caiaphas sent me with some troops and temple officers to arrest the rabbi who has been causing such a stir among the people.”

       “Do you mean Jesus?”

       “Yes.”

       “Why? Why would they arrest Jesus?”

       “Caiaphas and many others of the Sanhedrin think He’s misleading people or even that he’s from the devil.”

       “But Malchus, He has done nothing but good. He teaches about the Kingdom of God and brings such hope to people ... And many say He has healed sick people and even raised a man from the dead. ... I don’t understand!”

       “Have you heard Him?”

       “Yes, a little. I heard Him talk about God’s love for us and that we should love others—even our enemies. He said we should do good even to those who do harm to us. Have you heard Him teach?”

       “I was with Caiaphas when Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and whitewashed tombs. Caiaphas is a proud man and that didn’t set well with him—nor with the rest of the Sanhedrin who were there.”

       “No, I suppose not.”

       Hadassah’s eyes fell to the blood-stained cloak and asked, “Who was injured? Whose blood is this?”

       “It’s mine.”

       His alarmed wife stood up and looked carefully at his head and neck. She pulled aside his garment, looking at his bare shoulder to find no sign of a wound or even a scratch on his skin.

       Malchus got up and pulled another chair over to face his own.

       “Sit down,” he near whispered.

       She obeyed and stared into his handsome face.

       Sitting back down, Malchus opened his mouth to inhale a deep breath. After a slow exhale he began to speak.

       “Caiaphas, Annas, and the other officials want to get rid of Jesus. He’s a threat to them. They don’t like the things he says and they don’t want the people to follow Him.”

       Hadassah was puzzled and Malchus could see it in her face.

       “Hadassah, these men are not always what you think. They’re proud and they’re powerful. They don’t like being insulted and they don’t want anyone to have more influence over our people than they do themselves.”

       “I was honored to be promoted to be a personal servant to the high priest and for the most part, Caiaphas has been a decent boss to me. But since Jesus came on the scene, He’s been agitated and impatient. Hadassah, he hates Jesus.”

       “Oh, Malchus, that’s terrible!”

       “Caiaphas, Annas, and the others will not be satisfied until He’s gone ... for good.”

       “I don’t know everything. But from hearing parts of their conversations, it’s obvious they see Him as a serious threat. He threatens their authority—the whole religious system they control. He spends time with sinners and makes claims about the Kingdom of God. More and more the people are drawn to Him.”

       “But what’s that got to do with all this blood?” she interrupted.

       “Tonight, Caiaphas sent me with a contingent of soldiers and temple guards to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. One of His own disciples, Judas, went with us to identify Him to the soldiers. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek to show He was the man.”

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       “Jesus asked them who they were seeking and when they answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ Jesus stood tall and said, ‘I am He.’ When He spoke, we all fell to the ground! We were helpless! We just fell back and down we went! There was power in Him and His words that we couldn’t stand up against. I felt like a child’s doll or something!”    

       “We got back to our feet and Jesus said again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ A soldier answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’”

       “Then Jesus said, with such authority, ‘I told you I am He. If you seek Me then let these others go their way.’”

       “All of a sudden one of his disciples lunged at us with a sword. I jumped to the side and his blade struck the side of my head and cut my ear completely off! Right there in front of me, my ear fell to the ground!”

       Hadassah gasped and with wide eyes she looked at his ears—first one and then the other.

       Not giving her a chance to speak, Malchus continued, “Jesus said, ‘Peter, put away your sword! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’ Then Jesus touched the side of my head and healed me. He didn’t say a word—he just healed me!”

       Tears welled up in Malchus’ eyes and for a moment he couldn’t speak. He batted his eyes and put his hands on Hadassah’s shoulders.

       “Hadassah, my love, when He touched me, He looked me square in the eyes. It was like a moment frozen in time. I looked into His eyes and I knew that He loved me. It’s a love that I can’t explain. It was just there in His eyes and His face. It was who He is—Love!”

       “And that’s not all. I could see that He knew me and He understood me. And, Hadassah, He was forgiving me—right there in that moment, He was forgiving me! I can’t explain it. None of this makes sense but it was the most real thing I’ve ever experienced.”

       Still wide-eyed, Hadassah took a deep breath and said, “Do you think He is the Christ?”

       Malchus stared into her beautiful dark eyes and answered, “Yes. Yes, my darling, He is the Christ.”

       They each sat straight up staring at one another. Now Hadassah’s eyes filled with tears. Neither spoke for a long moment. Each was captivated by their own thoughts swirling around Malchus’ words.

       Hadassah broke the silence. “And they arrested Him. Where did they take Him?”

       “Before we went to the garden, Caiaphas told the temple guards to have Him taken to Annas’ house. Then they were to take Him to Caiaphas’ house. He’s going to end up before Pilate, but not before daybreak.”

       “This whole thing is unlawful, Hadassah. They arrested Jesus in the dark of night and they’re being secretive—taking him to Annas’ house and to Caiaphas’ house. They don’t want people to know. So many people love Him.”

       Hadassah asked, “What is going to happen to Jesus?”

       Looking toward the small window, Malchus replied, “I don’t know. But the sun is coming up and He’ll be standing before Pilate soon.”

       Malchus and Hadassah ate some bread and dates, changed clothes, and started to go out the door of their home.

       “Wait, Hadassah—we need to pray.”

       They stood facing one another, holding hands. Hadassah bowed her head and Malchus raised his face toward Heaven and prayed aloud, “Oh, Yahweh, most High and Holy One, we stand before You as humble servants. Abba, we’re confused—but You are not. We’re afraid—but You are not. We don’t know what’s going to happen—but You have a plan. We’re trusting you, Abba, with this day. Thank You, Mighty God! Amen.”

       Hadassah agreed by saying, “Amen.”

       The couple started walking toward the center of the city—to the market area where people would be buying goods to use in preparation for Passover Shabbat. There were surprisingly few people there but it was still quite early.  

       Hearing people chanting a few blocks away, Hadassah and Malchus looked at one another and walked in the direction of the voices. As they got closer, they understood the words, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

       A crowd had gathered at the Praetorium, home of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The mob kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

       On the balcony of the stately structure stood Jesus, next to Pilate and flanked by two Roman soldiers.

       Malchus and Hadassah could hardly believe the scene in front of them. There was Jesus, an innocent man of love, kindness, and good works—bloody from a thorny crown and torn flesh inflicted by the cat-o-nine-tails.

       Hadassah buried her face in her hands, wanting to leave yet compelled to stay.

       Pilate called out to the crowd, “Shall I crucify your King?”

       The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

       Then the soldiers lead Jesus away to be crucified.

       Carrying His own cross, Jesus was led up to the Place of a Scull, called Golgotha. There He would be crucified, a horrible form of punishment to the death, reserved for hardened criminals.

       Malchus and Hadassah followed along the road leading up the hill as did many others from the crowd. Some of the people were crying but most were scoffing Jesus. Many of those scoffers were the same ones who had welcomed Jesus into the city just five days earlier, glorifying Him and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

       What had caused this dramatic change, they wondered. They slowly walked along—then watched the anguish of their new found Savior, as large nails were driven into His hands and feet. They wanted to leave but could not take their eyes off of their King, as life ebbed from His body.

       Hadassah wept all the more when she saw the agony on the face of Jesus’ mother who knelt near the cross with friends. She didn’t want to think about the anguish piercing this mother’s heart.

       Moments before He died, Jesus raised His head. His weary eyes seemed to survey the on-lookers. Then His gaze fell on Malchus. Eye to eye once again with this one who had taken part in His arrest, Jesus once more reassured Malchus of His compassion and forgiveness. The Lord didn’t speak but Spirit to spirit His message was communicated. The young man fell to his knees and again wept in humble gratitude.

       Jesus struggled to raise His head toward Heaven and said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

       Then looking at His mother, He said, “Woman, behold your son!”

       And to His disciple, John, He said, “Behold your mother!”

       Moments later, He declared, “It is finished,” and the King of kings died a criminal’s death.

       Suddenly the sky darkened as though it were night. The earth shook bringing people to the ground.

       Malchus and Hadassah clung to one another and sobbed. They huddled there together for a long time and watched as friends of Jesus lowered Him from the cross and carried Him away to a tomb. With assistance from John, Mary, absorbed in grief, followed the small processional.

       Malchus helped Hadassah to her feet and they made their way home—neither speaking a word.

       In the days that followed the young couple went through the motions of the Passover celebration but it was not the joy-filled festival they normally enjoyed.

       On the morning of the third day, the sun rose a little earlier and seemed a little brighter.

       Hadassah prepared breakfast as usual and noticed the gloom of the past two days was somewhat lifting from her spirit. The odd thing was that she didn’t want to feel better. Jesus was dead and the hopes of a better future had been nailed to the cross with Him. They were gone, dead, and buried.

       Malchus had been outside and stepped through the doorway carrying a bouquet of fresh picked flowers—lilies—her favorite. He was hoping to brighten her day—and his own as well. Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered her favorite words: “I love you so much.”

       They kissed and looked at one another, tilting their heads as they loved to do.

       Malchus did not to have to report to Caiaphas for a few more days because of the holiday. The lot had fallen for him to have these days off from serving the high priest. He really didn’t want to see the man again so was thankful for the postponement.

       “After breakfast, let’s go for a walk,” Malchus suggested.

       “I love that idea,” was her reply.

       They no sooner stepped through the threshold when Hadassah’s best friend, Rebekah, rushed to them, seemingly from nowhere. Her face was illuminated with excitement.

       Grabbing her friend’s arm, Rebekah pulled Hadassah back into the house. The surprised husband twirled around and followed.

       “Hadassah, Malchus, Jesus is alive!”

       “What are you saying? We watched Him die!” exclaimed Hadassah.

       “Yes, I know! So did I! But I tell you, He’s alive! He rose from the dead! Mary, my sister, she saw Him! She talked to Him!”

       “Mary’s hallucinating because of her grief. ... Did you see Him?” said Malchus.

       “No, but I believe her and several others have seen him too.”

       Open-mouthed, Malchus and Hadassah stood there. They so wanted to believe. But they saw Him die. Yet something in their spirits believed Rebekah’s report. They looked at one another, then back again at Rebekah. How could this be? Yet they desperately wanted it to be.

       Malchus turned to Rebekah, “Do you think we could find Him? It’s worth a try.”

       Looking from face to face he declared, “Let’s go!”

       The three rushed out the door and headed toward the north end of the city where Rebekah had been told Jesus might be found.

       Amidst a grove of olive trees, they saw a small gathering of people. Malchus recognized Jesus’ disciple, named Peter, standing at the edge of the group. As they drew in closer they recognized the voice of Jesus, “It was necessary that I suffer and now am raised from the dead. You, who believe, will be my witnesses. I cannot tarry here. I must go to Galilee. You will hear more from me and I will send the Helper to you.”

       The men and women stepped aside as Jesus walked through the group. He was smiling as He walked toward Malchus and Hadassah. With a hand on a shoulder of each of them, He said, “Malchus, my friend, I’m glad to see you again.”

       Then looking at the young woman, “Hadassah, I’m glad you’re here.”

       Jesus turned to walk back toward His disciples and suddenly He was gone—just gone. Those in the group looked at one another with wide-eyes and gaping mouths.

       Peter broke through their bewilderment, laughed out loud, and said, “Okay, my fellow disciples, off to the Galilee we go. I’d like to do some fishing while we’re there. The eleven men turned and headed north, talking and laughing as they walked.

       Rebekah located Mary and they embraced. After joyful good-byes to Malchus and Hadassah the sisters strolled back to the city, picking wild flowers along the way.

       With beaming smiles, Malchus and Hadassah looked at one another. Deep sorrow and fear had turned to great joy and relief. Malchus pulled Hadassah over to an old olive tree and they sat together leaning against the twisted, thick trunk. Suitable words could not be found nor were they necessary. They just sat there, looking at Yahweh’s holy city, Jerusalem, while breathing in the fresh air, savoring the sweet aroma of the Lilies of the Valley. Happy birds serenaded as the couple basked in hope, joy, peace, and love beyond any they had ever experienced.

       They sensed a new day had come. They knew there would be trials but their trust was now in Jesus. New confidence in the future filled their hearts and spirits. A new hope had arisen with the rising of Jesus, the Christ.     ©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford

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What are your thoughts on Malchus?

Do you ever wonder about obscure individuals mentioned in the Bible? If so, who?

Do you imagine stories about them?

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford