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

398 THE MIRACLE OF REPARATION
performed upon Malchus. The healing compassions
of Jesus pour balm and wholeness into the wounds
dealt out in His name.
III.
This incident is a typical picture of the -way in
which Jesus amends the errors of His bodyguard
and compensates the -world.
It was perhaps necessary for three purposes :
(i) To
protect I lis disciples
; (2) To vindicate His own name
;
(3) To make men's accountability for faith depend
upon His own acts rather than upon the acts of His
followers.
This miracle of healing protects Simon and his
comrades against the vengeful reprisals they had
challenged, and rehabilitates them before their fellowcountrymen
and the Romans. Jesus is a many-sided
peacemaker, mediating for His followers amongst
men as well as in the presence of God on high.
This miracle is spiritually affiliated to the great work
He was about to accomplish. Under the Old Covenant
offences attached to the priests for which specific
expiations were required. Jesus, the spotless high
priest, atones for the priests of the new kingdom, taking
away their trespasses from before the face of God
and man. Not more than an hour ago, in the paschal
chamber, He had breathed forth His last earthly intercession
for disciples, and He was almost in sight of
the Cross on which He was to clothe that intercession
with unlimited power. And in the interval Jesus