“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 
Here we see Jesus at the Passover (Last Supper) reclining with His disciples. There is so much going on during this meal. Jesus has just told His disciples that one will betray Him. He has answered their question on who the greatest in the Kingdom is. His heart and spirit are full of love and anguish at the same time. Imagine if you will.
Jesus knows the heart of man. He was praised just days before this meal by multitudes. Yet, He knows that those very praises will turn quickly to curses and demands for His life. Many who raised their hands and palms in worship will turn their backs and cower. And He turns to Simon; His heart is not angry as He speaks but compassionate. He tells Simon, “Satan desires to sift you like wheat. He will cause you to stumble, but take courage, I have prayed for you.” Do you see the heart of the Messiah here? His enemies are closing in on Him. He knows full well what is about to happen. He could have yelled in anger, but He, being true to His character, reaches out to Simon in love. Don’t miss what He says next. After He tells Simon He has prayed that his faith would not fail him, He says this, “And you, when once you have turned again; strengthen your brothers.”
This slays me every time I read it. Oh, the love of Jesus! Oh, the hope He demonstrates for our lives. He doesn’t knock Simon Peter down for what He is about to do. He realizes what Simon Peter is made of – dust, feet of clay. (After all, He put him together.) Rather than leave Peter in a sorrowful state, He encourages him.
“When once you have turned again…” He’s telling him, “You will turn back to Me. And when you do, strengthen your brothers.”
“Strengthen your brothers…” Jesus did not excommunicate him out of the family of believers. No. After this great time of trial and testing, He promises to make him stronger. Simon, seen as a coward, would eventually strengthen others.
Take courage in this, believer. We all make promises to the Lord Jesus as Simon Peter did. We say things in haste, and later, we do not keep those promises. However, the Lord is interceding for us daily. As we go through our times of testing, our faith will not fail us because faith is stronger than flesh. Greater is He in us than he who desires to sift us like wheat. He will get us through, and we will be stronger and able to strengthen those in their times of weakness.
Oh, the selfless love of Jesus, that in His time of agony, He considers those who are weak!
Father, continue to purify our hearts, so that we can come boldly praying on behalf of others. | By Laurie L. Ferris
