August 20, 2026 · Mark Bishop
The Healer of Our Soul
“While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.””
Luke 22:47-53 →
## Tick Tock
Everything has a set time. The author of Ecclesiastes says it best, "there is a time to___ and a time to____" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The writer of Hebrews mentions that everyone has time to die, then meet God (Hebrews 9:27). The birth of the Messiah was marked at a specific time by God, and He gave us signs to know the details of His arrival without giving it all away. Jesus says that there were times He could have been captured, but it wasn't the time for the power or authority of darkness to rise. Judas, who was associated with Jesus, brought the accusers to finally arrest Him. The sign given was a kiss. A kiss in this culture can mean a greeting or a sign of special appreciation. I think both have some good weight and can be defended, but I don't believe that's the point of these verses. Jesus was betrayed by someone who walked with Him and did miracles or various godly acts. Even while being arrested He showed His compassion by healing the ear that was cut off by a sword. Even in betrayal, Jesus shows the character of God. We were on the same side of those coming to arrest Jesus before we came into a relationship with Him. We were His enemies. And while we were His enemies, He still died for us (Romans 5:8). God's
character never changes, even when facing His own arrest in human hands.
## Self-Check
No matter what time it is for us, if we maintain our relationship with Him we are no longer His enemies, and thus receive a healing by His own hand.
## Follow, Meditate, Rise