Luke Chapter 22
Scripture:
"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." (Luke 22:31-32)
Observation:
There are so many things going on in the larger context of today's reading, I just don't have the space to go into all of it. But I ask that you take the time to read the whole chapter, put it into context, and know where this fits within the rest. Today I am narrowing the focus to a tight beam and highlighting two verses spoken to Simon, who is also known as Peter.
There are some things that are interesting to me about this scripture:
Satan knows Simon Peter by name, and asked permission to sift him like wheat. (The Greek "you" here in this scripture is plural implying the church will be sifted, since Jesus calls Peter "the rock on which I will build my church" Mat. 16:18) It also reminds me of the trials of Job, where again, Satan has to ask permission to interfere.
Jesus comforts Peter by telling him that he has prayed for him, that his faith would not fail. (And likewise he prays for us John 17:20-26)
Jesus says "when you turn back". He offered reconciliation to Simon Peter, even before he sinned! (Romans 5:8) What a powerful message for us today!
He said "Strengthen your brothers" I have more to say on that in a minute.
Application:
Where are you at today in your journey? Are you in obedience? Or have you turned away? Christ stands ready to reconcile with you. He doesn't hold your sin over you to beat you up. Instead, agree with him on what your sin was, confess it and make it as right as you can - then return to Him! No matter what you have done, he desires reconciliation and another chance for you to use what he gave to you in service to your brothers and sisters.
The lesson of the crucible is this: Within every Christian is the pilot light of the Holy Spirit and our own sinful natures, all mixed in together. When hard times come, the heat is turned up in the form of "trials of many kinds". (James 1:2-4) This causes the impurities in our life to be highlighted and separate out, just as the refiner's fire intends. (you may think "how can God love me when I don't even like myself?")
Do you want to be clean? Do you want to be pure? Then confess those sins that have risen to the surface while under great stress, and submit them to God. Don't justify them, hide them, nurse them or call them anything other than what they are. Don't let the enemy trap you with lies. Agreeing with God that the sin part of your old nature, and that you don't want them any more, lets you release those hungers and drives that control you so often when you are under stress.
Prayer:
Lord, knowing that you have given your permission for us to be "sifted" is a hard thing. Many of us don't want to think that a loving God would allow sin and suffering in the world. So I pray now for those who are in their own crucibles, where they may be under great pressure and pain, wishing for relief. I beg you to bring light into their dark corners, and give them to courage to turn back to you. I pray for brothers and sisters to strengthen each other, encourage one another with the Word of truth so that the lies of the enemy are laid bare. Amen.
"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." (Luke 22:31-32)
Observation:
There are so many things going on in the larger context of today's reading, I just don't have the space to go into all of it. But I ask that you take the time to read the whole chapter, put it into context, and know where this fits within the rest. Today I am narrowing the focus to a tight beam and highlighting two verses spoken to Simon, who is also known as Peter.
There are some things that are interesting to me about this scripture:
Satan knows Simon Peter by name, and asked permission to sift him like wheat. (The Greek "you" here in this scripture is plural implying the church will be sifted, since Jesus calls Peter "the rock on which I will build my church" Mat. 16:18) It also reminds me of the trials of Job, where again, Satan has to ask permission to interfere.
Jesus comforts Peter by telling him that he has prayed for him, that his faith would not fail. (And likewise he prays for us John 17:20-26)
Jesus says "when you turn back". He offered reconciliation to Simon Peter, even before he sinned! (Romans 5:8) What a powerful message for us today!
He said "Strengthen your brothers" I have more to say on that in a minute.
Application:
Where are you at today in your journey? Are you in obedience? Or have you turned away? Christ stands ready to reconcile with you. He doesn't hold your sin over you to beat you up. Instead, agree with him on what your sin was, confess it and make it as right as you can - then return to Him! No matter what you have done, he desires reconciliation and another chance for you to use what he gave to you in service to your brothers and sisters.
The lesson of the crucible is this: Within every Christian is the pilot light of the Holy Spirit and our own sinful natures, all mixed in together. When hard times come, the heat is turned up in the form of "trials of many kinds". (James 1:2-4) This causes the impurities in our life to be highlighted and separate out, just as the refiner's fire intends. (you may think "how can God love me when I don't even like myself?")
Do you want to be clean? Do you want to be pure? Then confess those sins that have risen to the surface while under great stress, and submit them to God. Don't justify them, hide them, nurse them or call them anything other than what they are. Don't let the enemy trap you with lies. Agreeing with God that the sin part of your old nature, and that you don't want them any more, lets you release those hungers and drives that control you so often when you are under stress.
Prayer:
Lord, knowing that you have given your permission for us to be "sifted" is a hard thing. Many of us don't want to think that a loving God would allow sin and suffering in the world. So I pray now for those who are in their own crucibles, where they may be under great pressure and pain, wishing for relief. I beg you to bring light into their dark corners, and give them to courage to turn back to you. I pray for brothers and sisters to strengthen each other, encourage one another with the Word of truth so that the lies of the enemy are laid bare. Amen.
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