Devotional Thoughts from the Passages Journal Reading – March 1, 2011
“’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.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.’” (Luke 22:31–34, ESV)
This must have been a very troubling moment for Peter to hear His Lord say, “Peter, you will stumble tonight.” We should not to quickly forget that Peter’s stumbling was for a purpose. It’s mind boggling to know that our Lord is able to take even our blunders and use them for His glory. For Peter, it would seem that he needed to be humbled so that he could lead effectively. Jesus had promised earlier that Peter would be an essential leader in the Church and now Jesus is promising that he will fail.
Of particular interest to me is what Jesus says in verse 32. “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Two things stand out. One, Jesus is always interceding for us, defending us and sustaining us before the Father. Two, when we are humbled through failure we are more appropriately equipped to strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Peter knew what it was to fail and to be restored by the grace of God. Therefore, he was also well equipped to lead the church into further dependence upon the grace of God and the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. By no means do I want more failure in my life, but I do desire a heart of humility that is able to say to my brothers and sisters, “run to Jesus for He is gracious and able to sustain you!”
In His Grace,
Joe
