Sifted as Wheat

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:31-32).

Please don't be hard on Peter. He boasted that he was both ready to go to prison and to death for Jesus. And Peter was. In the garden where Jesus and his disciples were surrounded by temple guards, Peter drew a sword and cut off the high priest's servant's right ear. Surrounded, in the midst of a hopeless situation, Peter charged with a sword!

But the battle coming soon is very different. Not physical, but spiritual. Jesus warned Peter, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times you even know Me. Satan wants you Peter. He wants to sift you as wheat. But I'm praying for you Peter that your faith won't fail."

It happened just as Jesus said. After Peter's third denial, somewhere in the darkness a rooster flapped his wings and crowed an indictment against him. Peter turned and looked straight into the eyes of Jesus (Luke 22:61-62). Was it a look of "I told you so. How could you do it too me?" I don't think so. It was a look of pity, of sympathy. Jesus went throught forty days of sifting by Satan. He knew how ruthless the enemy can be, and He understood what Peter was enduring. Peter turned and ran away into the night, tears stinging his eyes. All night he wept bitterly. "Why did I do it? Why didn't I stand for Him? How could I have denied Him?" Satan was sifting Peter as wheat, beating the grain with a stick until the outer husk was broken, leaving only the kernel of faith within.

But, Satan couldn't touch that kernel of faith, for Jesus said, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not."

Darkness reluctantly gave way to the morning's light, revealing Peter laying in a heap, eyes swollen from a night of bitter weeping, his clothes and ground stained with tears of disappointment, regret and repentance. He failed the Lord. He failed a Friend. Sifted, his faith lay bare for everyone to see.

For the next few days, he would replay his failure over and over again in his mind, until he couldn't take it anymore. His mind weary, he needed an escape. He needed to get away, just for a little while. "I go a fishing," Peter said (ever been tempted to pick up that thing you left behind?).

A night on the sea fishing with a few of the other disciples didn't help much, for they did not catch anything. Peter threw his net until his shoulders ached, but to no avail. "I can't even do this right," Peter thought to himself. A somewhat familiar voice disturbs the morning stillness.

"Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find" (John 20:6). They threw the net into the water, and it filled with so many fish, they couldn't carry it. A memory joggles Peter's mind. "This is just the way it happened when Jesus called me to follow Him." Suddenly, John cries out, "It is the Lord!"

Peter can't contain himself. What do you do when you fail a friend? You go to him. Peter jumped out of the boat half-swimming and half-running toward Jesus as fast as he could. Wet and shivering, Peter stands before his Lord. Jesus didn't call him a coward, and betrayor..... He didn't say, "You let me down. I was so wrong about you." No. He said, "Peter do you love Me?" Peter said quietly, "Yes, Lord." "Then feed My sheep," Jesus responded. "Maybe you failed, but I still think you have what it takes. Come and follow Me."

Lord Jesus, Satan's attacks are sometimes subtle and hidden. Other times they are open, ruthless and enduring. You understand Lord, for You endured them also. And as One who understands what I am going through, thank You Lord for praying for me, that my faith will not fail.

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