Could Peter Have Derailed God's Plan?

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Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Matthew 26:40-41, CSB

Two Questions: 

To us as believers, what is the significance of Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and then Jesus immediately restoring it? And if the ear had not been restored by Jesus, could the impulsiveness of Peter have potentially snuffed out the spread of Christianity throughout the world?

Once you discover the answers, you’ll want to praise, worship, and hold your dear Savior all the more closer.

Oh, Peter!

When we read the account of Peter drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant, it’s simply more evidence of Peter’s impulsiveness. Oh Peter! What will we ever do with you?! Then we quickly move on to the arrest of Jesus, triggering the events of the Passion.

But Let’s Step Back

After Jesus and His disciples had celebrated the Passover, they came to the garden. He took Peter, James and John to a place separated from the others. Jesus asked them to watch with Him and pray so they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 36:41, CSB), but they fell asleep. Twice, Jesus had to wake them and remind them to pray so that they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:36-56, Mark 14:32-50, Luke 22:40-53). As a result of falling into slumber several times, it may have fed Peter’s impulsiveness in cutting off the ear of Malchus moments later, after the mob came to arrest Jesus. Luke 22:51 says, “But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, He healed him.”

The disciple had great zeal for protecting His master, but he acted in foolishness. The Geneva Bible study notes say: We ought to contain our zeal for God within the bounds of our calling.

The takeaway: Jesus is telling us to stay awake at all times. Keep alert. Don’t fall asleep spiritually. It’s when we fall asleep that impulsiveness and foolishness can overtake us. We then miss hearing what the Holy Spirit tells us in His soft whisper. We miss an opportunity for wisdom and discernment which may cost us severely for a moment or a lifetime. 

If Jesus Didn’t Restore

Peter didn’t intend to take off an ear, but to take a life. If the servant’s ear had not been restored by Jesus, Peter would have been accused of assault and attempted murder. Add the association with Jesus as His disciple, and he would have surely been put to death. And what if he had hung on a cross beside Jesus instead of the thief? Interesting to think about, but it was specifically God’s plan for two thieves to be crucified on each side of Him. Not Peter.

The Thieves. It was God’s plan for two equals, both thieves, to hang on crosses at each side of Jesus, as significance that you and I are spiritual thieves. In our sin nature, we steal what’s not ours to please our flesh, not given to us by God. We are one of those two thieves, with Jesus at the center. Will you be the thief who accepts Jesus as your Lord and Savior, joining Him in paradise for eternity? Or will you be the other thief, mocking Him by not believing, sending yourself to the Lake of Fire?

Peter would eventually die on a cross. However, God appointed it for another day (approximately 30 to 34 years later). He had great plans for Peter’s life, to receive the Holy Spirit, and to do the work appointed in evangelizing the Gospel to the world.

A Foreshadowing Of Jesus Setting Us Free

Jesus healed Malchus so that Peter wouldn’t die. With a fully restored ear, there was no evidence of the violence and attempted murder by Peter. As a result, there was no arrest. Jesus made Peter a free man. When we trust in Jesus Christ and commit to follow Him, He covers us with His blood, and no evidence of our sin remains. For “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV). "And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

Who Would Have Carried The Gospel? 

Jesus didn’t want bloodshed involved in His arrest nor in His crucifixion that wasn’t exclusively His own. And of course, He wanted nothing that would put a blemish on His disciples, nor anything that would negatively affect the upcoming work needed for expanding the kingdom. Their only “crime” to the world should be the carrying of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Murder or any other unlawful act that would have criminalized the disciples would have certainly ended their lives early, before the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

But, these things could have never happened. God had a specific plan for our salvation, and it could not be thwarted by any human action- intentional or unintentional. He is in absolute control and authority, allowing what’s needed to take place, and holding back anything that could derail His plans. “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Psalm 135:6, ESV, Luke 1:37 CSB).

The Right Ear That Listens

It may be significant that John recorded the right ear of Malchus was severed. As a servant of the high priest, he too more than likely saw Jesus as a threat. He was part of the plot to have Jesus arrested and killed. 

Think on the significance of the ear. It was a limited human ear. It had been filled with the lies, deceit, jealousy, hypocrisy and overall sinfulness of the Jewish religious elite. 

And the portal that received wickedness, feeding the cold evil heart, was cut from the servant’s head. Jesus healed and restored, making it not just functional to hear once again, but perhaps it had a new “life,” to then receive the Truth of Jesus Christ, His words, and His being. 

Though the scriptures don’t record anything more on Malchus after this event, is it possible that he became a believer after his ear was healed? Could he have been one of the believers who converted on the day of Pentecost? Maybe he became a secret believer. I’d like to think that his life was changed as a result. 

In spiritual death, because of our sin nature, are we not given a new life when we trust in Jesus Christ, like a new ear for Malchus? The old was severed from the head that contains the corrupted mind. The restored is reattached, but now it’s new, like a heart of stone turned to flesh, through the power of Jesus Christ. 

This is what Jesus does for us. Like the severed ear, He fully restores us spiritually. When we are washed in His blood, we become spotless. Just as Jesus healed the ear so Peter can be blameless, no one can accuse us of any sin because there is no more evidence. The blood of Jesus doesn’t just cover. It wipes away sin as if it never existed.

The Father then looks at us, and sees Jesus living His life in us, His beloved Son who also lives in Him. It’s not a transaction, but rather we become one with the Father and the Son.

And if this has resonated in your heart today, you can pray right now:

Lord Jesus, I come to you in a posture of humbleness and surrender. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness for any disobedience, bitterness, or resentment I’ve held. Heavenly Father, thank you for the perfect plan you had for salvation. Thank you for your Word, that I can draw closer to you each time I read and meditate on your message. I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Health

Gut Microbiota and Psychiatric Disorders: What You Need To Know

Is there a relationship between the gut microbiota and psychiatric disorders?

Let’s first discuss the microbiome. Located in our gut, it consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic living things. If those elements didn't exist in our bodies, we wouldn't exist. In fact, a majority of chronic illness and unhealthy states of being can be traced to an imbalance in our microbiome. See our archived article for more details.

There’s a strong link through the gut-brain axis, influencing brain function, behavior, and symptoms by affecting neurotransmitters, inflammation, and neural pathways. Patients with various psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism have been found to have significant changes in the composition of their gut microorganisms.

How The Gut-Brain Axis Works

This axis serves as a communication network linking the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system. The gut microbiota play a pivotal role in this axis, modulating gut-brain communication and, hence, influencing both brain functioning and behavior.

• Microbial Influence: Gut microbes produce neurotransmitters (like serotonin, GABA), short-chain fatty acids, and other metabolites that signal the brain.

• Inflammation: Dysbiosis (imbalance) can increase gut permeability, leading to inflammation that affects the central nervous system.

• Brain Structure & Function: Gut microbes influence brain development, neuroplasticity, and activity in mood and cognitive centers. 

Links To Specific Disorders

• Depression & Anxiety: Altered microbial diversity and specific bacteria (e.g., decreased Dialister, elevated Hungatella) are seen, linked to changes in amino acid metabolism and inflammation.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Changes in Clostridium levels and potential effects of Candida species are noted, impacting social behaviors.

• Schizophrenia: Differences in microbial composition (e.g., Lachnospiraceae) and altered pathways related to immune signaling and metabolism are observed. 

Functional Changes Identified

• Recent research links specific bacteria to functional domains like responses to aversive situations, social processes, and cognitive systems, indicating how microbes impact psychological functioning. 

• In one recent study, the results revealed that individuals with higher diversity of microbial species within their gut microbiota tended to have lower scores in the negative valence and arousal/regulatory systems domains, indicating better functioning in these areas.

Therapeutic Potential

Modulating the microbiome with probiotics, prebiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise, with targeted interventions potentially restoring cognitive function and improving symptoms. 

Lifestyle Changes

To diversify your gut microbiome, eat a wide variety of plants, incorporate fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt, consume diverse fibers (prebiotics), limit processed foods and sugar, manage stress, and get regular exercise. Introducing different fibers (prebiotics) feeds beneficial microbes, while fermented foods provide live cultures, creating a richer, more resilient gut environment. 

For detailed study, you can read more here.

Though generally safe, consult with your licensed nutritionist, holistic/integrated practitioner, or medical doctor to see if consuming probiotics and prebiotics as supplements would interfere with prescribed medications.†* 

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}