Luke 22:24-34 (ESV)

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵ And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. ²⁶ But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. ²⁷ For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. ²⁸ “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, ²⁹ and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, ³⁰ that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³¹ “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, ³² but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” ³³ Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” ³⁴ Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

In verse 31, Jesus addressed Peter personally. He used Peter’s name twice, saying, “Simon, Simon.” Addressing someone like this can either express deep emotion, seriousness, or both. Jesus warned Peter that he was about to become the object of Satanic attack. The original Greek text is interesting in these verses. In verse 31, the word used for “you” is plural. Jesus let Peter know that the devil demanded permission to plunder the apostles. In English, it may look like he was saying Satan had demanded to have “you all” to sift as wheat. But in verse 32, we see that Jesus spoke specifically to Peter. He told Peter that he had prayed “that your faith may not fail.” In this statement, the “you” is no longer plural but singular. Jesus was saying, “Peter, I have prayed for you specifically.” Why would Jesus say this to Peter? Jesus knew that Peter was right around the corner from one of the biggest spiritual failures of his life. But Jesus had prayed for him. Though Peter sinned, his failure was not permanent. Jesus encouraged Peter to strengthen others after he repented and got back on track. God could and would use Peter’s failure to influence those around him, and to influence many future believers, to steadfast hope in and obedience to Jesus.

When Jesus used the phrase “sift as wheat,” he was using an agricultural metaphor. To “sift” something like wheat meant “to shake it apart.” This was actually a violent process. Farmers would shake the edible part of the wheat away from the stalk and the chaff, which were useless. For the glory of God, Jesus allowed the enemy to have his way with Peter, but this testing and Peter’s failure were only temporary. What an incredible picture of the total and complete forgiveness that God extends to the followers of Christ. Jesus knows ahead of time when, how, and to what extent we will disobey. And Jesus generously gives grace and mercy to his repentant disciples. Do you feel like you have been sifted or shaken apart by the powers of hell? Are you discouraged and on the verge of giving up? Know that Jesus is right there to restore you to fellowship with him and fruitfulness in his kingdom. Call out to him, and ask him to cleanse and forgive you from your sins. May Christians never forget that our Savior’s compassion will always triumph over the temporary advances of our enemy.