Recently, we meditated on the statement, ‘I wish I had not said that!’. This week we will consider examples of those who acted unwisely and who might well have said, ‘I wish I had not done that!’

First, we turn to PETER, who was ‘a man of action’. He could always be relied upon to act when others hesitated to do so. Unfortunately, this sometimes led him to act impulsively. A prime example of this was when Jesus was arrested, just prior to His crucifixion. It was a critical moment in His life and in God’s plan of salvation. It called for wise words and actions; however, Peter failed in both respects! These are John’s and Matthew’s accounts of the occasion:

• ‘Then Simon Peter, having a sword , drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus’, John chapter 18 verse 10
• ‘But Jesus said to him (Peter), “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” ’, Matthew chapter 26 verse 52.
• ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father hath given Me?’ John chapter 18 verse 11.

These rebukes showed that Peter’s action was unwise and inappropriate. No doubt, he had to admit later, ‘I wish I had not done that!’.

Jesus had taught His disciples on several occasions that He had come to suffer and die. Peter had heard Him say that He had not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Indeed, the cross was to be a place of healing, not a scene of destruction; thus, as a further rebuke to Peter, Jesus healed Malchus’ ear!