Title: Simon, Simon / Luke 22:31-34
Content Simon, Simon
Jesus' passion did not begin on the cross, nor did it begin in the court of Pilate. Before that, I was already in great pain mentally. Judas Iscariot intentionally betrayed the Lord, and Peter unintentionally denied Him. This text is a prophecy of the Lord before Peter's denial. His concern is that the disciple's faith does not fail.
Let's look at what the Lord said for Peter and see what we should learn.
First, Satan claims the disciples.
Peter's own weakness was also the cause of Peter's denial of Jesus, but more important is the active intervention of the devil and Satan. Jesus said that Satan claimed not only Peter, but also the other disciples. What does this mean? From whom did Satan claim what? What helps to understand this is recorded in the Old Testament book of Job.
In Job chapters 1 and 2, it is recorded that Satan stood before God and asked to test Job. Satan tests Job with God's permission for that matter. Job lost a lot of wealth in one day through the work of Satan and lost his children in one hour. And I lost my health.
The devil and Satan asked God to do the same to the disciples. And the words that follow, the Lord's saying that he prayed that Peter's faith would not fail, imply that Satan's request was granted and his temptation had already begun.
"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail..."
The Bible testifies that God does not tempt anyone.
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, for being drawn away and deceived by his own lust. When she has conceived, she gives birth to sin; and sin, when she is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:13-15).
The idea of tempting people to sin comes from the devil and Satan, not from God. God can either block his attempts or he can tolerate them. No matter how powerful Satan is, he cannot do anything if God's intention to intervene is certain. In the case of Job and in the case of Peter, God tolerated it. To condone is not to be understood as God's approval of Satan's actions. Absolutely not.
Satan knew that Peter was a bloody man. I knew that my understanding of the Word was lacking. He knew he had a desire to be the best among his disciples. I knew I was a person who took action more than I thought. He took advantage of these weaknesses to the fullest and shook him up.
The devil and Satan are still looking for an opportunity to slander and knock down saved Christians before God. Consider the following words from the book of Revelation:
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the dominion of his Christ, have come, and the accuser of our brethren, the accuser before our God day and night, has been cast out” (Revelation 12:10). )
These verses deal with events that will occur during the seven-year tribulation of the last days. Therefore, until that time comes, the devil and Satan will not cease to tempt and claim the believers. It is difficult for us to understand why, but it seems that the devil and Satan can still approach God after he has fallen and is cast out of heaven.
How serious would his slander against us be if we were in disobedience when the devil and Satan asked for him, even when he was as innocent as Job? Know that the devil and Satan are still blaspheming us against God. And his slander is very persistent. In Job's case, it was tried twice, not just once.
Second, the Lord prayed for Peter.
The words of the Lord, “Today before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times” are grim, but that is not all. He also gave Peter words of encouragement.
“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”
He has already prayed for his beloved disciple because he sees through the devil's intentions and plans. His prayers are powerful. All his prayers were heard. This prayer will also be answered. That day, Peter even denied the Lord three times, but he didn't do it with his heart. It was done because of human weakness and fear. The fire of faith still lingered in him. And the fire of that faith burned even greater after that.
The Holy Spirit is the one who came to take the place of the Lord as He ascended into heaven. Just as the Lord prayed for Peter in the old days, the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of those who have been saved and is praying for them with groanings that cannot be uttered.
“In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).
The one in us is greater than the devil and Satan.
“Children, you are of God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
The ascended Lord also intercedes for us and protects us at the right hand of God.
“We know that everyone who is born of God does not sin. He who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one cannot touch him” (1 John 5:18).
Considering the above, we can see that our situation could have been better than that of Jesus' first disciples, and we are no less behind. We don't have to be caught up in a sense of defeat. There is no need to be gripped by a feeling of helplessness that you cannot control your sin. Even if Satan seeks an opportunity to overthrow us and slanders before God, there is no need to be afraid. If we resist the devil while praying with God's word in our hearts, victory is ours.
Third, the Lord gave Peter an opportunity to repent.
Peter was sincere when he said, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." He really loved the Lord. Although he could not keep the words "Even if I die with you, I will not deny you" (Matthew 26:36), he bravely swung his sword to protect him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Lord knew how desperate he would be when he realized that such a disciple failed to keep his word. So, after he said, "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail," he added, "After you are converted, strengthen your brother."
What a gracious word! This is a promise to give you an opportunity to repent. To turn here means to repent. He knows our weaknesses. He knows that if we are careless, we will fall into temptation. Peter will deny the Lord, but if he repents, he will forgive him.
It is also a promise of renewed confidence. Even after denying the Lord, if you repent, you will continue to fulfill your roles and duties as disciples and apostles.