These are stunning verses from the night before Jesus’ death:
‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of 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.’ (Luke 22:31-32)
Notice these 10 contrasts:
- Satan makes a fearful proposal. Jesus gives a fearful permission.
- Satan treats Simon like an inanimate object. Jesus calls Simon by name – three times in one sentence.
- Satan is ruthless with Simon. Jesus is personal.
- Satan sifts Simon before the world. Jesus lifts Simon before the Father.
- Satan is weaker than Jesus but Simon is weaker than Satan.
- Simon thinks of himself as iron for Jesus (see v32). Jesus doesn’t call him Peter (‘Rock’), He considers Simon to be as ‘flaky’ as wheat.
- Simon thinks his resolve will motivate his brothers (v32), Jesus knows it will be his weakness that strengthens his brothers (v31).
- Jesus prays for Simon, but His support will include the need for Simon to turn back.
- While Jesus prays for Simon’s faith not to fail. Simon fails big time.
- It’s not Simon who “fail’s not”, it’s Jesus’ prayer.
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That is useful because in this spiritual war, we are always tempted to call upon our ”weak flesh” instead of the ”willing Spirit.” Continue also your bold and unapologetic support of our Holy Trinity.
I forgot to mention the obvious: our need in fleshly weakness to put complete reliance upon Jesus. He has conquered this world as John writes and all but orders to be bold because of that.