Sifted like Wheat
TRANSLATION
(31) And Jesus continued, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (33) Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” (34) And he responded, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied that you know me three times.”
(35) He then said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, knapsack, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” (36) Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let them take it, and likewise a knapsack. And, if you don’t have a sword, sell your coat and buy one, (37) for I tell you that what has been written about me must be fulfilled, ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ What was written about me is reaching its fulfilment.” (38) And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “That is enough.”
OBSERVATIONS
In this segment we find Jesus giving his disciples the information they would need when he was seized and taken from them. First, he focused on Peter’s denial as seen in two repetitions of his name, “Simon” (twice in vs. 31), emphasizing his old, sinful nature, and “Peter” (twice in vss. 33 & 34), anticipating the transformed person he would eventually become. Sadly, Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s failure was fulfilled to the letter.
Then Jesus broadened his focus to include all the disciples as he described to them the difficulties they were about to encounter (vs. 35). He did this with repetitions of “purse” and “knapsack” (vss. 35 & 36) and then the twofold use of “sword” (vss. 36 & 38). Why did Jesus who was known throughout his ministry for advocating non-resistance to force tell his disciples to obtain a weapon? The disciples were ready to take him literally as evidenced by their producing two swords (vs. 38). His response, “It is enough,” may have indicated that he intended his words to be taken figuratively as if to say, “Prepare yourselves for my absence when you will be forced to rely on your own resources in the face of great opposition.” This proved true in the hours that followed. Jesus, according to Matthew’s account, had warned them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” (Mt. 26:31).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus prophesied Peter’s denial and eventual restoration. (31-34)
II. Jesus prepared the disciples for the trials they would face when he was taken from them. (35-38)
IDEA STATEMENT
Jesus prepared his disciples for the trials that they would face in his absence, first addressing Peter specifically and then the others generally.
APPLICATION
Satan’s role as the “accuser of our brothers” (Rev. 12:10) is difficult for us to grasp in our daily lives. First with Job and then with Peter we read that Satan like a prosecuting attorney before a judge had the right to come into God’s presence and argue his case against them. Both men experienced the kind of testing that demonstrated their personal frailty. Yet, each one was upheld by the grace of God and became more resilient through the adversities they eventually overcame.
Can something like this happen to believers today? It certainly seems to, especially in the lives of those who serve in spiritual leadership in the church. How often have we heard of pastors and other prominent leaders being tried in the fire, facing severe temptation, and even being removed from their places of ministry because of entrapment in sin or the sinfulness of others? In teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus told them to make this request: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” or “from the evil one.” This is a request which believers should make not only for themselves but for all those in spiritual leadership. Satan is always seeking ways to neutralize and destroy the ministries of those who proclaim the Gospel. As Jesus taught, we should pray earnestly “that our faith may not fail,” especially in those moments when we are being “sifted like wheat.”