Remembering Names

He was so much more than just a servant, yet we know nothing more than what has been said of him by a handful of men. Here was a man known and recognized by nearly all sharing ties to the common community of believers. After all, he worked for and often acted on behalf of the high priest. On the particular night in question he led a detachment of soldiers as the traitor Judas guided them to a favorite garden retreat for Jesus and His disciples.


One man was disrupting the accepted method of temple worship. The high priest determined that nothing foil the plan to get things back to the way they were. To that end, he sent his trusted administrative aide to oversee the night's mission. The soldiers' torches failed to illuminate underworld shadows moving among the olive trees. The soldiers paused as forms of sleeping men awakened alongside the pathway. Judas moved forward to greet and kiss the cheek of another man stepping into the flickering light. The high priest's aide barely noticed the blade's reflecting flash, but the pain was instant and intense as blood flowed from where once was an ear. *

Each of the gospel writers recorded this moment, but only one man cared enough to know and mention the name of Malchus, the high priest's aide and servant. John is known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Could this be because of John's inherent love for others---caring enough to remember their names? I picture Malchus as a man absorbed in his position as the high priest's aide and having little time to care for the needs of others. As a consequence, few knew him or his name. Obviously he was aware of the man called Jesus, but as to knowing Jesus? Probably not---at least until the moment of that healing touch when Jesus restored his ear.

The name Malchus is mentioned only one time in the whole of Scripture (John 18:10). I cannot help but wonder if this was a life-changing moment for him. Will a life-altering event be necessary for change in our own lives? I sometimes have difficulty remembering people's names. By God's grace I pray that I may reflect in my own life Jesus' love for others. May this begin with the concerted effort of remembering the names of those I encounter while traveling through this world.

* [Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50; John 18:10]

 

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