Emphasis Preaching Journal

Part of the reason this Good Friday gospel speaks to us is because of the way it is told. We would tell a story like this. This is not a fantasy tale in stylized language and glowing detail; this is a story for the laypeople. Simon Peter cuts off a man's ear. The newly earless man is named Malchus. Incidentally, Peter runs into Malchus' cousin later in the evening. Is it really necessary that we know Malchus' name, or that we know Peter ran into his cousin? No. But it gives the story an everyday feel.