Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 22:31-34
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Commentary:
22:31–34 Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial. Whereas in v. 3 Satan’s increased activity centers on Judas’s betrayal, now it centers on the denial by Peter and the disciples.
22:31 Simon, Simon. The use of Peter’s pre-Christian name forebodes his denial. Satan demanded to have you (cf. Job 1–2), that he might sift you like wheat. “You” is plural in these two instances, indicating that all the disciples are in view, not just Peter. In other words, “Satan is seeking to shake you all violently, as one does wheat, to cause you to fall” (cf. Amos 9:9). In Peter’s case, the shaking was to be his panic-prompted, thrice-repeated denial that he knew Christ.
22:32 I have prayed … that your faith may not fail. “Your” here is singular, so Peter alone is addressed. “Not fail” must mean “not fail completely.” Peter’s subsequently restored faith was not his own accomplishment but a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in response to Jesus’ prayer for him. The Greek for turned (epistrephō, “turn around, go back, return”) is often used in contexts of repenting or turning back to God (e.g., Acts 3:19; 9:35; 2 Cor. 3:16).
22:31 Simon, Simon. The use of Peter’s pre-Christian name forebodes his denial. Satan demanded to have you (cf. Job 1–2), that he might sift you like wheat. “You” is plural in these two instances, indicating that all the disciples are in view, not just Peter. In other words, “Satan is seeking to shake you all violently, as one does wheat, to cause you to fall” (cf. Amos 9:9). In Peter’s case, the shaking was to be his panic-prompted, thrice-repeated denial that he knew Christ.
22:32 I have prayed … that your faith may not fail. “Your” here is singular, so Peter alone is addressed. “Not fail” must mean “not fail completely.” Peter’s subsequently restored faith was not his own accomplishment but a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in response to Jesus’ prayer for him. The Greek for turned (epistrephō, “turn around, go back, return”) is often used in contexts of repenting or turning back to God (e.g., Acts 3:19; 9:35; 2 Cor. 3:16).
Questions:
- In verse 31 we see Jesus predicting that Peter would deny Him. Peter, of course, isn't having this. He swears that he will go to prison or even die for Jesus. But we know how the story plays out. While you might not verbally deny Jesus, how might you deny Him in more subtle ways?
- We all have the best intentions, but those don't always play out. In fact, intentions mean very little. Peter never intended to deny Jesus, but He did. In fact, he thought it was inconceivable. At the end of the day, intentions are pretty meaningless. What matters most is what we actually do. Are there areas of your life where, despite your best intentions, you consistently miss the mark? Is there anything in your spiritual life that is falling short and needs tweaking?
Pray:
- That you would acknowledge Jesus with your lifestyle.
- That you would be a person that follows through.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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