31“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22.31-32
A couple of weeks ago, we had a visitor at our home who asked what Luke 22.31-32 means. We have that verse on the wall near our kitchen, printed on a bread board displayed next to a vintage wooden sifter. When I arranged that particular wall, I meant it as a reminder to myself that when things feel shaky, Jesus is praying for me to turn to Him and then strengthen my fellow believers. But over the years that it has hung there, sometimes I forget to look up and notice it. So, Jesus sends a friend to remind me.
It delighted my heart that our friend (not yet a believer) did look up at that bread board and felt comfortable to ask her question and receive graciously our response and encouragement to her. And now, as we come to this verse in The 4/90 Challenge, it is a sweet reminder to pray for Lauren, that her question and our answer will prompt more questions about Jesus’ nearness and prayer for us. And for myself to be more equipped by God’s Word to live hopefully amongst the worldly chaos that feels so shaky.
Here’s what I’ve seen this week:
Satan wants to sift you like wheat. Sift who? In verse 31 above, the word used for “you” in the original Greek language of the author is plural. Some translations read “all of you,” or “each of you,” or “you all.” Satan demanded to have all of you, that he might sift all of you like wheat …
Though Jesus addresses Simon Peter, He is telling His impulsive and sometimes hot-tempered apostle that Satan included all of Jesus’ disciples in his demand. Every follower of Jesus is a disciple and so we each want to be aware that Satan wants to sift us. My favorite online Bible tool gave me this explanation of what is meant by the word “sift”: by inward agitation to try one’s faith to the verge of overthrow. To the verge of overthrow!
So, no blinders here. Satan wants to sift each one of us. Jesus has told us and so we ought not be surprised but be watchful. Keep short accounts, as a dear friend often reminds us. Be always watchful over our thoughts and words, our allegiances and priorities. Others are watching – like our friend Lauren. But Satan is watching and he wants to move us to the verge of overthrow!
Be prepared and rightly guarded by spending regular time in God’s Word and leaning in to grasp new, deeper understanding and application. See its life-changing worth and impact on our lives. Keeping us from that verge.
In the second verse above, verse 32, Jesus gives Simon Peter (and each of us) such a hopeful exhortation: I’ve prayed for you that your faith not fail. No matter what has happened, is happening, or will happen, Jesus is praying that your faith not fail. And here the “you” is singular. Praying for you, Peter. Praying for you, Colleen. Jesus is praying for each believer, that your faith not fail.
And then Jesus gives us our marching orders, so to speak. When (not if, but when) you have turned back to Jesus, to His Word, and His rescue, to trusting Him fully, then strengthen your brother and sister. Encourage and comfort others with what you have received.
The rescue is all Jesus. The path back from the verge, I have found, is most navigable when accompanied by others who know you and, more importantly, who know the Rescuer.
Praying for the work of God’s Word to change your life and mine today and tomorrow.
You are so loved, Colleen