Luke 22:31 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”
Notice what’s being said. Seemingly out of the blue Jesus looks at Peter and changes the subject. He caught him off guard. There seemed no reason for Jesus to say what he did. Peter told Jesus he was ready for anything—even prison and death.
The times we feel the safest are when we need help. Peter didn’t realize what was just around the corner. Jesus knew it all. He knew who was working for Peter’s downfall. He knew who was working for his arrest and crucifixion. He knew who was working through Judas. Satan works to strip it all from us. He has his eye on us. Jesus told Peter Satan was out to get him and was going to put the sifter to him. No matter how untouchable you may feel Satan is working for your downfall. There are all kinds of sifters. Satan knew Peter’s strengths and weaknesses, and you can count on it—he knows yours too. Jesus gave Peter some assurance. He said “BUT I have prayed for thee.”
How able are we on our own? Peter didn’t listen to the first part of what Jesus said. He jumped in there with his usual responses and said he could handle anything. Out of the safety of the upper room, push came to shove. Satan got Peter to a place of fiery pressure. No matter how ready you feel right now, being ready tomorrow is important too.
Satan knew Peter thought he could take on the world, and he used it against him. He was over confident in himself and wasn’t placing enough confidence in the Lord. Sometimes we think we do okay and don’t need any help. BUT we still have a Savior praying for us just like he did Peter. We have a High Priest to go to in our time of need. Peter talked foolishly, but he still had an intercessor on his side. He’s with us at our comfortable supper tables and when we find ourselves on the devil’s cold courtyards. While Jesus stood on the porch in the courtyard, he turned and looked at Peter. He was and is always within sight of us. When HE is for us who can be against us? What prayer did Jesus pray for Peter? He prayed “that thy faith fail not.” The most critical factors were not the swords or knives or how well he could defend himself that night. The most critical thing was that in his weakest moment that his faith remains strong.
Satan does exist. He has a plan. The Master always intercedes even if he doesn’t interfere. What do we want? Peter wanted the Lord to stop it all from happening. Jesus can prevent things from happening and give us utopia on earth. We need to face it. We have to live until we die, and we won’t survive on our own. Focus on Jesus. He prays for us.
Why was this happening? Jesus told Peter “when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” It helps us and those around us when our faith holds strong. Our integrity is not in our ability; it’s in the Savior we trust. We may be stripped of everything leaving us with nothing but faith. That’s enough. Jesus doesn’t fail. His promises don’t fail. Our faith doesn’t have to fail.
Jesus had been treated like a dog. He looked his weakest and the most unlikely one to follow, but Caiaphas was not in control. The soldiers weren’t in control. Pilate wasn’t in control. The very one who was bound was still in control.
The good news is that Jesus is speaking to us too. Satan may be sifting, “BUT I HAVE PRAYED.” If you think you don’t need it now, wait just a second. This is the very time you do. Now is the time to pray that God will fill you with faith that won’t fail. The one you pray to is praying for you!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 