“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-34
Simon Peter has just finished hearing the Lord rebuke him and the other disciples for their self-seeking attitudes. They desire the seat of prominence (this mirrors what the Pharisees did) rather than the place of service. This lack of humility is sin and it blocks the disciples
from living a life that is pleasing to the Lord. In fact as we look back over this entire week we are amazed to see how many times the disciples, and especially Peter, walk in the flesh while giving the impression to everyone that they are waking with Jesus.
This is of great concern to the Lord for He knows what lies ahead. He
knows the tests His disciples will face and His will is for them to face
those tests walking in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than walking
in their own pride and self-centeredness. If the disciples are to face
their tests following the Lord’s example, they must first humble them-
selves and seek God’s face. Thus the Lord takes time to warn Peter of what lies ahead of Him. Perhaps the magnitude of the battle that He faces will cause him to “turn from his wicked ways and seek God’s face”. We know that ”whom the Lord loves He chastens” and the words the Lord speaks to Peter in the Upper Room are designed to get his attention, shake him to his core and to turn him back to dependence on God alone for victory. God warns him (and us) to protect us/
Simon, Simon When the Lord uses your name twice, listen very carefully. Note Lord uses the name Simon, Peter’s old name, indicating the Lord knows he is walking in His own flesh, not in the will of God. This alone should cause Peter to sit up and listen.
Behold The Lord uses another word to get Peter’s attention. There is danger in the path he is on. Look at what is happening!
Satan demanded to have you The Lord tells Peter what walking in the flesh is creating in heaven. The word demand conveys a sense of asking for something with urgency or insistence. It implies a strong request, often with a sense of authority. The only way Satan could do this is to point to Peter’s sin and allege that he cannot be a believer the way he is behaving toward God .
That he might sift you like wheat Satan’s desire is to tear Peter apart – to destroy his relationship and service to God.
But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail The reason this has not happened is the Lord knows His own and He has intervened on Peter’s behalf. The reason Satan’s destruction has not fallen on Peter is not because he is the greatest in the Lord’s
kingdom or that he is walking close to the Lord but because the Lord prays for him. (Let that truth sink into your soul!)
What can we learn? On several instances we have seen Peter react to others and as a result fall into sin. Whether it is criticizing the way some worship the Lord or acting in pride about his position in the kingdom, others have pulled him away from the Lord. We note Peter is physically walking with the Lord but his heart is not close to him. We see the heart attitude is the major distinction between Peter and the two women who worshipped the Lord with costly perfume. Peter heard what the Lord said and he did not approve. In his mind the Lord’s way was not the right way – it was surely not the way Peter had imagined things would turn out. When the women heard the Lord
say He was going to the cross they did not argue or oppose Him, they praised Him. Their willingness to let God be God even when they don’t understand is called faith.