Wednesday 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:
- Jesus tells Peter that satan asked to sift the disciples like wheat, and that Jesus himself was specifically praying for him, that his faith would remain strong. Jesus was praying for Peter, and He intercedes for us, too! How does it strike you to imagine that Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, prays for you by name?
- Many Christians carry with them a negative view of God. We assume He's angry and just waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us. We assume He's disappointed in us or He's somehow against us. But scripture tells us that while He does hate sin and will discipline His kids like any good parent, He is also FOR us. He's in our corner. He loves us more than we could ever imagine and has the best things in store for us. Viewing God this way can make us want to serve him faithfully and run to Him when we mess up instead of distancing ourselves from Him. What is your view of God? Do you assume He's always angry with you? How does it feel to know the God of the universe LOVES you, CHOSE you and is FOR you?
Pray:
- That you would remember Jesus prays for you.
- That you would remember God is in your corner.
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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