The battle lines were drawn in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas was backed by dozens of officers and servants from the chief priests and Pharisees, all armed with clubs, and also, a fully armed cohort of Roman soldiers stood behind them, ready to fight. Opposite them stood Jesus and His eleven disciples, armed with two swords.
Was Peter emboldened by the power of the Holy Spirit? Scripture does not say, but Peter did draw his sword and slice off the ear of a servant of the high priest just after Judas and his group stood up again.
Peter’s impetuous deed forced Jesus to act.
But in Jesus’s action, we are given insight into spiritual warfare. His healing of Malchus demonstrated that spiritual battles are not fought against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places, regardless of the circumstances facing us.
Love never fails…(1 Corinthians 13:1)
Okay, why did Jesus heal Malchus?
After all, Jesus’ act of love was not mentioned at His trials before Caiaphas or Herod or Pilate. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote about it and for sure, Malchus told everyone about it. And who knows how many of the other witnesses in the Garden told people about it. Jesus’ act of love may have ushered thousands of people into the Kingdom of God.
One act of love by one person can change lives for all of eternity and defeat the plans of Satan.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21 NLT)
(Continued in Part 4…if you’re interested, the full series to date can be seen here.)
Larry Who 
I was so inspired by this, Mr. Larry . . .how one act of love can change lives for all eternity and defeat the plans of Satan. Thank you and God bless you!
Debbie,
It blessed me, too. God bless you.