There is much richness and information in these passages, it is nearly impossible for me to choose which to write about. I think, however, I'd like to focus on the aspect that we, or at least me, can relate most closely to - Peter's denial of Christ. I relate to Peter's faith because he wanted to so badly to follow after Christ, and yet he so often got it so wrong. It was Peter who had faith that made him willing to step out of the boat to walk on water, but he who allowed fear to take over when the waves started coming. It was Peter who wanted to stay in the mountain top experience of the transfiguration and forgot or didn't grasp the mission of Christ's ministry. Yes, Peter was often a little rash and a little impetuous in his faith, but his passion was undeniable.
I believe it was this passion that caused Satan to ask to 'sift him like wheat' because this type of passion threatened Satan's domain. I believe it was this same passion that caused God to give him permission to sift, because in the wisdom of our sovereign God, he knew this trial would be the one that would refine the rashness and impetuousness out of Peter's faith, preparing him to be the key player in the building of the church. Notice the dialogue between Peter and Jesus in Luke 22:31-34:
"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."
But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
The first thing to not here is that Satan had to ask permission to sift Peter. This is an important truth to grasp - even before Jesus victory over Satan through his death on the cross, Satan could not and cannot now touch the life of a child of God without permission (see book of Job - especially Chapter 1 for another example). Our God reigns in all things! This brings up an important - and tough - question. How can a loving God permit Satan to come against one of his children? Clearly he was given permission because we know that Peter denied knowing Jesus - not once, but three times (Luke 22:54-62).
The answer, I believe, is that God was strengthening Peter for work that he would do later. He had a purpose for Peter that required a very mature faith - and this test of his faith was a refining process. More proof that this is true can be found in the words of James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." And the words Jesus himself speaks to Peter would indicate his purpose as he says, "After you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." What did Peter learn through this trial that would help him strengthen his brothers?
He learned to not over-estimate his own faith - and that God knows his faith and what is best for it better than he did. Peter was certain he was willing to die for Jesus. Jesus knew differently - he knew that Peter's faith wasn't there yet. However, this was the faith he wanted to build into Peter because later he would die for the cause of Christ. He also learned the pain of denying the God that he loved and followed with all his heart. I think we've all been there, but can you imagine denying Jesus and having him turn and look you in the eye as he did Peter? Ouch! No wonder Peter wept bitterly. I am certain he must have felt that he was a great disappointment to his Lord.
The feeling that we are a great disappointment to our Lord is something, I think, that many of us can relate to. And so the rest of Peter's story - and what he learned - is so important to explore. From the above dialogue I want to point out that although Jesus knew that Peter's faith would fail him for that time, he also knew that he would ultimately hold onto that faith because he says, "when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Friends, Jesus knows the imperfections in your faith. He knows that there are times when you will fail him. But like Peter, he will use those times to strengthen you. Like Peter, when you turn back, you are still so useful in the Kingdom of God.
Give yourself grace for your failing, precious ones, because Jesus does. He shows special consideration and compassion for Peter when he has risen again. If we jump ahead a little, we see that he tells the women at the tomb that recognize their risen Lord to, "God and tell the disciples - and Peter" (Mark 16:7). He knows that Peter needs to know that he has risen, and that he still loves him. And I love Peter's response because it is evidence that his passion for Christ remains. While the other disciples did not believe the women, "Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb (Luke 24:12)". Later on, when Christ appears on the lake shore where the disciples are fishing, Peter recognizes him and isn't willing to wait until the boat is rowed to shore, but rather, he jumps into the water and swims to meet his Savior (John 21:7). Oh how I want to be the disciple that runs to the tomb. I want to be the one who isn't content wait on others, but jumps in the water and swims to my Lord and Savior.
The story, precious ones, isn't over yet. In John 21:13-23, we see Jesus reinstate Peter and call him to feed his sheep. Note the contrast. Earlier - before his denial - when Peter tells Jesus that he would follow him where he is going, Jesus says that where he is going, Peter cannot follow. But now we hear Jesus tell Peter in John 21:19, "Follow me". Peter's faith has been refined. He has been broken and rebuilt. Everything that Satan was allowed to do in Peter's life was filtered through the fingers of a loving God with a plan and a purpose - a loving God who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bare (1 Cor 10:13). A loving God who allows us to fail and uses our failures for His purpose and His glory. And he is also a loving God that prayers for us just as he prayed for Peter - we'll read more about that tomorrow. Peter knows this all to be true and it is from this experience that he writes these words to strengthen us, his brothers and sisters, just as Jesus commanded him to do:
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 10-11
My precious friends, I pray that you would know that Jesus knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your strengths and how he will use them and he knows your weaknesses and what needs to happen to refine them. Everything he allows into your life he can and will use for his good purposed. I pray, friends, that God would work in your life in such a way that you will be made strong, firm, and steadfast - that you would be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Blessings to you!
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
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