While Peter did his Lancelot imitation on a man he perceived as a threat, Jesus saw him as a man in need. Being more concerned about Malchus’ welfare than his own, Jesus reached out and made him well––evangelism the Jesus way.
Jesus’ “enemy love” is always a better apologetic than the sword-swinging aggression of Peter. Compassionate service wields a power to affect people in ways that argumentative tactics never can. Jesus delayed his arrest to heal an enemy and later put a pause on dying in order to welcome a thief into his kingdom! That’s how God makes friends.
– Originally published in Reaching Rahab: Joining God In His Quest For Friends
barney wiget 