As the Passover celebration was coming to a close, Jesus directed His attention to Peter.
I suspect that the compassionate Jesus looked directly into the eyes of His disciple. With tenderness in His voice, Jesus warned, “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31).
In the council chambers of Heaven, the powerful fallen angel must have asked God for permission to beat Peter, to thrash him and thresh him! The conversation between Almighty God and Satan may have unfolded just as it had many years before when Satan asked to defeat Job (Job 1-2).
Jesus, the Intercessor, had intervened in prayer, asking His Father to limit the enemy’s influence. “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32).
Jesus knew that Peter was weak, that His bravado only masked his fear and frailty. “I tell you, Peter … the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:34).
Was there a reason that God allowed Satan to test Peter? Of course. Both Father and Son knew that the testing of Peter’s faith would produce a resulting benefit (James 1:2-3). “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).
In his failure, Peter learned a valuable lesson, a lesson that he passed on to us. “Be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever. Amen”
(1 Peter 5:8–11).
Take heart my friend. Jesus “lives forever to intercede with God on (our) behalf” (Hebrews 7:25, NLT).
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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