Category: faith

Satan Sifting

“Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.” Luke 22:31

After Jesus’ final passover meal, he turns to Simon Peter telling him of Satan’s demand. So I think Satan sifting must have led to Peter’s denials.

But am I right? What does this mean?

FIRST. Satan needs permission to do his evil deeds. He may “demand,” but God is supreme and decides if permission is given or not.

SECOND. The sifting that would be happening was not just of Peter, but to the other apostles. We know this because the word “you” is a plural noun, (y’all). It could be that Satan was hoping to show that these men were like chaff and when sifted they would scatter in the wind. And it would seem Satan had success because Peter did go out and deny that he knew Jesus and the other apostles scattered after Jesus’ arrest in the garden.

“but I have prayed for you” Luke 22:32

Satan again under estimated Jesus and the power of prayer. Jesus, knowing full well what was about to happen prayed for Peter.

FIRST. He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Yes, Peter’s denials were wrong, but after he realized what he had done, he went out and wept bitterly, showing how heartbroken he was over what he had done.

SECOND. Jesus went on to pray for Peter to strengthen his brothers. Knowing this broken Peter would turn back to faith, Jesus wanted him to help others who would be struggling with their faith.

Is Satan sifting still?

Yes, he is. What can we do?

We need to take Peter’s instruction to heart…

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

1 Peter 5:8-10

“I am praying for them.” John 17:9

FINALLY. know this…Jesus is praying for us who believe and have come to know the truth. This does not mean we will not sin (as Peter did by denying Jesus) but that we can turn back, live a strong faith and help strengthen others around us.

What’s on Your Bucket List?

Bucket list:  A list of things to do before you die. Comes from the term “kicked the bucket”.             Urban Dictionary

My bucket list might include things like…

  1. Vacationing to exotic places
  2. Spending extended time with grandchildren
  3. Doing nothing…having no responsibilities
  4. Changing the world…helping to bring world peace

It is kinda fun (in a strange way) to dream about what I would like to accomplish before my time on earth is done. Do I want to make a difference in the world or do I just want to enjoy my life? Or maybe I want to do both??

I have been studying the gospel of Luke. I was struck by the story of Simeon. We know little about him, but except his bucket list…or at least the bucket list that God had gave him. We need to look at Luke 2 to explain this… 

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word;

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Luke 2:25-32

It would seem that Simeon’s Bucket List had only one item on it.

  1. See the Lord’s Christ

Simeon eagerly waiting for the Lord’s Christ to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit had let Simeon know that he would see the promised Messiah that would bring salvation. Yet he waited. When he saw the baby Jesus, Simeon was ready to die. He knew his bucket list was complete.

What is on your bucket list?

What would it take for you to say to God…”release me to depart in peace“?