Matthew 26:58,69-75; Mark 14:54,66-72; Luke 22:31-34,54-62; John 18:15-18,25-27
‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ 33 But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’ 34 Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me’ (Luke 22:31-34).
In ancient times there were steps taken to separate grain from the inedible parts. The stalks were thrown into the air, over and over again, until the lighter chaff and straw were blown away, leaving pure grain on the ground.
Jesus is warning Simon Peter that Satan asked to sift “all of you” as wheat. Some translations make it seem like Peter was the only one that the devil was after, but the word “you” in the original Greek is plural. Jesus is revealing that all of his closest disciples would be tested. In context, the concept of sifting probably refers to the shaking or testing of the disciple’s faith. Of course, the devil would have loved for them to abandon their faith.
When Jesus says, “but I have prayed for you, Simon,” the word “you” is singular and he’s specifically talking about prayer on Peter’s behalf. Also, please don’t miss the words of hope built into this interaction. Jesus says, after the sifting is over, Peter will return and be in a position to strengthen his brothers.
Luke 22:54-62 states: “Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’ 57 But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ ‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’ 60 Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Just as grain is shaken to get rid of the chaff, Satan wanted to shake up (and even destroy) the faith of the twelve apostles. Judas was one casualty. He became demonized and he betrayed Jesus into the hands of wicked men.
Jesus had predicted that Peter would betray him, but the apostle confidently proclaimed his loyalty. Peter showed glimpses of that loyalty when he pulled out his sword to defend Jesus. Instead, the Lord told him to put the sword away and then he healed the ear of the man who was attacked (Luke 22:51). When Jesus was taken by the Jewish leaders Peter followed at a distance. In fact, from what we know, Peter was the only one of the twelve apostles who attempted to stay close enough to gain insight into the unfolding drama. However, by staying nearby, and being recognized, it turned out to be a major test. Three times there were statements made about Peter knowing Jesus and each time he denied they had any relationship. Peter’s courage was indeed shaken!
What was Peter’s response when he failed Jesus? The text says he went away and wept bitterly. Jesus had predicted that Peter would fall, and fall he did, but he was genuinely sorry for his actions. It’s interesting that both Peter and Judas were
disloyal to Jesus. If Judas would have genuinely repented and sought forgiveness, there would have been positive changes in his life. Instead, according to Matthew’s account, Judas, “seized with remorse,” threw the money he obtained in the temple, and we’re also told he took his life (Luke 27:1-10; Acts 1:18-19). It was a tragic ending!
In contrast, after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter and gained a three-fold confession of love from the apostle (John 21:15-23). Peter was fully restored to leadership and after he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, he became one of the pillars of the early church (Acts 2:14-41).
Some of us may feel disqualified from any kind of meaningful service to God. Let us be encouraged by the example of Peter. After Peter saw Jesus alive from dead, and after he was filled with the Spirit, he became a powerful tool in God’s hands! His confidence was no longer in himself. Instead, his hope and his faith became anchored in Jesus Christ.
Notice what this apostle said in First Peter 1:3-5: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
You can’t change a thing about your past, but you can submit yourself to the Lord today. Our walk with God begins when we become born again through Christ and we’re given the hope of an eternal inheritance. Peter rejoices that through faith we “are shielded by God’s power” and he will keep us strong to the end. When trouble comes knocking at your door, may your faith rise up to meet the challenge!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for giving us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We were once spiritually dead and cut off from you, but you came to rescue us. What a high price you paid; it took you all the way to the cross. Thank you for being a God of mercy and restoration.
Question
Is there any sin you need to confess today with a heart of true repentance?