The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

THE MIRACLE OF REPARATION 393
and the homage of the multitudes. His power and
the motives which order its
manifestations are unimpaired
by outward change. His kingship survives
obloquy. The present tribulations impose no limit
upon His resources, and cast no shade of dimness upon
the splendour of His attributes.
" Thy throne, O God,
is for ever and ever." The throne still looms in
undefined majesty through the present shame, and
the magic authority of His sceptre gleams with a
strange lightning flash through the darkness. The
power of His troubled and storm-driven personality is
a steadfast and an abiding verity. This incident of
the Gospel story is said to be simple to the point of
triviality, but the miracle, looked at in its surroundings,
is
no less wonderful than the healing of the lepers and
the raising of the dead. It is the parting splendour
of the Redeemer's earthly day, a miracle of the hour
and power of His passion. " He touched his ear and
healed him."
II.
This incident asserts not only His undiminished
power in the abyss of shame, but His unchanging
magnanimity under insult and dishonour.
Malchus, who was a body - servant of the high
priest, had no official part to play in this arrest, and
it seems probable that Peter's rash blow was a
reprisal to some act of contempt and gratuitous
cruelty. Base-born wretch that he was, he dared to