Mr Malchus

There was a wealthy and influential man who had a son he loves so much. The father had a lot of servants and house chiefs at his command. He needed his son to go make friends in order to expand his kingdom. So, he prepared his son for the journey. He promised his son a wonderful place by the time he comes back and most definitely, a national honor. So, the son got on the journey and ended up a success.

It then came time for him to come back home. The preparation was completed, and all of the father's housekeepers and friends were ready to receive the son of the father. The son was also putting all things together to make sure he had a glorious exit from his land of sojourn.

However, as a result of the father's pedigree, the son was at a risk of being kidnapped or assassinated in order to render his father's kingdom powerless since the heir to the throne would then be nowhere to be found. So, the father devised a plan to prepare Mr. Malchus -a known worker of a tyrant- as a "kidnapper" of the moment as against the real suspected kidnappers. Mr. Malchus' duty was to see the son was embarrassed and taken away through an unceremonious means. In that way, the known enemies of the father wouldn't bother doing anything to the son again. They would presume he was already finished and that would mark the end of the wealthy man's reign.

While the son was away from the father, he never missed out on his purpose to have embarked on the journey; he made a lot of friends. His friends loved him so much as a result of the kindness he shared. He told them about his plan of making sure all those who are his friends will come to his father's palace, with the promise of an apartment for each and every one of them. They loved the son and were eager to meet his father for they believed he must have shown all the great qualities they saw him display because his father possessed same.

Isn't that glorious? They became friends just in a short while and all of the wonderful promises had been made with proofs of performance. So, they began to celebrate him and wanted the best for him. When he alerted them of the time he was going to leave, they threw a valedictory party. All of his friends ate and drank.

While he was preparing, he put a call through to his father who explained the risk of he (the son) coming through a public transport and the plan he had on ground to ensure his safety. It was demeaning but he had agreed to the condition before making the journey. Even though he was aware of the plan, it still felt so painful and hard for the son. He shouted in agony at a point, questioning the rationale behind the plan but he concluded whatever his father chose was good for him. All he needed was to trust the integrity of the father to bring his promise to reality.

The day of departure came. His friends were at alert, hoping to see an official car the father will send. Alas! It was Mr. Malchus and his boys. They came with all forms of weapon to seize the son. How could this be? His friends were filled with anger.

As a result of the genuine love they had for the son, one of his friends picked up a sword, chopped off the ear of Mr. Malchus, wanting to save the son from the onslaught. The son knowing his safety and destiny was at stake, cried out. "Oh! No, you are sincere but it is incorrect". Immediately, he apologized to Mr. Malchus. "Mr. Malchus looked like he is killing me but that is my father's design to get me home, any other route will lead to an inglorious end. Don't kill Mr. Malchus, I need him" was his response to his friends. They could not understand. Immediately, they took to their heels.

Friend, just like the son's friends (whose story can be read in the book of John18:5-11), we sometimes innocently sincerely pray and fight against the Father's plan because we look at it from the surface. There are Malchuses on the way. The father has promised you are getting to a place but you wonder why a glorious place needs an inglorious transportation; He does things in His ways. Though, Malchuses may be painful at the time, holding the Father by His word will see you through to the promise being fulfilled. I feel you may be praying and fasting against what isn't an enemy but a Malchus designed to get you to the expected end. What you need is the strength to stay through!

The safe route you are looking for from the "trying time" may take you off the course. Don't kill your Malchus in the bid to escape, it may look good for a while but not too good on the long run. The pain you go through now may just be part of the plan if you can say like the son: "At your will Father". If the Father does not permit it, no one or anything can touch you His son. Don't be too in haste to kill your Malchus and miss the total plan.

Friend, I know it is painful, let Him take you through, don't jump out.

He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he PRUNES those branches that bear fruit for EVEN LARGER CROPS” John 15:2

Be Innovated

Olufemi Ibitoye