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Forgive Them…

He was betrayed by a “close” friend, arrested in a dark garden, and led away where he would be vehemently accused, treated with contempt and mocked, and repeatedly beaten and even whipped. He was given a sentence of death, even though he was found not guilty. Then he was nailed to a cross, where he was mocked and stabbed…

Yet He said, “Father, forgive them…”

What has someone (many someones) done against you? Are you having a hard time forgiving them?

Pray for that person (the many people). Ask your heavenly Father God to forgive them. It will change you…change your heart, but not necessarily your circumstances.

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:34

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.