SATAN ... Sift You Like Wheat
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Luke 22:31-38
Satan demanded that Peter and other disciples like wheat ditampi (verse 31). Ditampi means separated. Satan felt when Peter fails, then other students will also follow in the footsteps of Peter. Such a situation is fully recognized by Jesus. How did Jesus respond? Jesus prayed. In his prayer Jesus did not pray that Peter did not fail, but Jesus just pray that such failure did not change his faith.That's why Jesus in his last supper member of two important messages to his disciples:
1. Addressed to Peter, without ignoring the other disciples. The word 'you' in verse 31 is written in the plural, so it does not refer only to Peter but to the other disciples. That is, Peter will receive a very valuable lesson from its failure, that Peter was enabled to understand the meaning of recovery. This is a lesson that would enable Peter to strengthen the other disciples (verse 32). Jesus' statement about Peter reveals two important truths.
(a). God allowed Satan to tempt us only to certain limits and with the permission of God (cf. Job 1:10,12). The devil is not free to do whatever he wants with the people of God.
(b). Jesus prayed that His people of faith will not fail. As our heavenly Mediator, He prayed for all those who "come unto God by Him. Because He lives always to be a mediator of them" (Heb. 7:25). God is faithful in all our trials to provide a way out (1 Cor 10:13 *). However, the realization of Jesus' prayers were conditional. If someone rejects God's grace, the intercession of Christ ultimately in vain (Luke 19:41)
2. Awarded to the other disciples including Peter (verse 35). Jesus warned them to prepare themselves physically and spiritually.
(a). Physical preparation is denoted by the term coffers (Luk.10: 4; 12:33; bd. Hag. 1:6).
(b). Spiritual preparation is symbolized by the term sword. But they understand it literally (ayat. 36,38,49; bd. Matt. 26:52). It is clear that understanding is not meant literally. Jesus affirms the language of metaphor need for spiritual preparation. They need spiritual sword. Spiritual sword is more important than physical preparation (Ef.6: 17; Heb 4:12; Rev. 2:16; 19:15).
Meditation: When we fail, we will understand the meaning of success. Understand that failure by its own strength makes us understand about the meaning of prayer depends on God.
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