31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Simon’s faith had the possibility of coming to an end. In the middle of Judas’ betrayal and Jesus trial and crucifixion, Simon, more frequently referred to as Peter, ends up denying Jesus. This would have been an eternally devastating choice for Peter. Satan asked, almost demanded that Peter be tempted in this way. Satan knew something about Peter that had escaped his friends. This flaw had not escaped Jesus. Jesus also knew about the demand of Satan. And Jesus does not stop Satan from trying to cause Peter from the act of denial. He does not tell Peter to not deny him. He does not send Peter on a mission that would take him out of Jerusalem and away from the place of the denial. He does not have him practice not denying. Instead, Jesus prays for him. Sometimes I want more than prayer. I want an infusion of extra power and strength. I want Jesus to take the stumbling blocks out of my path. I want smooth sailing, not a bumpy flight. But Jesus knows that part of what makes us good disciples is our utter dependence on Him. It is when we think we can do it ourselves that we get into trouble. But Jesus doesn’t stop with the prayer. He gives Peter hope. There is a mission beyond the stumble. Jesus does not remove Peter from His future plans. Instead, he gets a unique mission after his fall. When he turns back, he must work to strength the other disciples and followers. Jesus takes Peter’s weakest moment and turns it into a strength that He can use. Peter becomes a strategic force in the early Church. He is the voice of the Jewish Church for many years. Paul becomes the voice of the Gentile Church. Both of these men had profound denials in the past. And yet, Jesus was able to use them despite those stumbles. God is able to use you despite your stumbles. Are you willing to turn back and yield fully as Peter did? If so, God can use you in powerful ways.
The Arnold Journey 