Luke 22

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." - verses 31-32

Many thoughts here, but my focus is on the bigger picture of this event.

-  Satan attacks for the chance to break the relationship between Peter and God which would prevent God from doing great things through Peter.
-  Jesus prays for faith to remain, knowing he will fall temporarily.

-  After the fall instead of failure and loss, by grace Jesus says that he will be able to strengthen the brethren.


I feel like Simon right now. Despite his profession to go to the cross and die alongside Jesus before denying Him, he followed at a distance and not once, but again and again denied Jesus to men and women. He didn't just laugh this off, but when Jesus reminded him he wept bitterly.

I'm not going into it, but even in the struggle, in the pain, God can teach us so much and mature us.

In tough times we can either run towards or away from God. I think the faith Jesus is praying for is the deciding factor here. Even a tiny bit allowing us to trust His greater plans and see that even through this He is good.

Nothing can separate. Rom 8:38-39 Whether it be selfishness, a desire to fit in with those around us, or Satan himself.

Now I don't know what those hours or days were like for Peter, but there was bitter weeping. But afterwards Jesus forgives and still has a higher plan for him. John 21:15-17. 'If you love me, feed my sheep.' Use what I have taught you to reach others, to teach others, to encourage and inspire.

So, there will be attacks. Fight by the Spirit!
But if you do fall, there is bitter weeping because of it. 'Choose to sin, choose to suffer.'
However, God still has grace, Jesus died for this too. 1John2:1-2 And even this He can redeem and use.

Peter walked away, but after walking back he preached the first sermon in Acts and over 3000 people heard the gospel and found Jesus as their Lord and Saviour (Acts2:14-41).

Let's not get stuck in a little pothole, but finish this race.