A/N: Posted an evening in advance, for tomorrow, Nisan 14.
Put Up Thy Sword
Nisan 14th yearly Jesus-themed ficlet
Of course, Jesus already knew why they had come before speaking. But his voice was even, gentle and steady. "Whom seek ye?"
A low murmur went down the line through the band of men and officers from the chief priests. A lantern or two was lowered uncertainly; for a moment, Judas, who was with them – who had led them here – dropped his gaze. One unsure man lifted his weapon haltingly, then lowered it again.
"Jesus of Nazareth," was finally said.
"I am he."
Murmuring again, a few staring dumbly, blinking in the torchlight, they began as a collective group to back up before stumbling to the ground.
Jesus leaned forward, kneeling slightly so as to be back in the light of their torches and lanterns again, so they might see his face. "Whom seek ye?" he repeated. "I told you I am he. If you seek me, allow these others to go on their way. The saying must be fulfilled – Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none."
The men were barely upright again, still muttering between themselves about what they should do, when Simon Peter suddenly lunged forward, drawing a sword. The metal made a singing scraaaaaaaaaapppee, then a great whizz as he brandished the weapon.
Sharp blade met unprepared flesh, slicing off the right ear of the high priest's servant.
It came away neatly, but the sight barely a moment after was dreadful.
Crimson blood, almost black in this dark hour so long past midnight, flowed from the jagged stump and the man gawked as if in terrible shock. He began to sink to his knees, but Jesus caught him by the arms.
"H-help," he stammered, ashen lips set to violent trembling. "Pray, h-help me... Someone... Mercy..."
"What's your name?"
"M-maichus."
Removing one hand from his arm, still holding him steady with the other, Jesus tenderly touched the maimed servant's ear. "Be whole, Maichus."
At once it healed, new skin covering the hole, the flow of blood instantly drying up, the sawn-off ear growing back miraculously.
Peter still gripped his sword, waiting, while Maichus poked clumsily at his grown-back ear in amazement.
Releasing Maichus, Jesus shook his head. "Put up thy sword into the sheath – the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
Lowering his sword, Peter watched aghast as the captain and the officers began to bind Jesus to take him away. Unlike the guilty Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed their Lord for a mere thirty pieces of silver, he did not drop Jesus' gaze.
A/N: If you have enjoyed this short piece, this Bible based vignette, I hope you'll take a moment to reflect upon the Anniversary, tonight, of Jesus' death, his miracles, and his great sacrifice for us all.
