Please open your Bibles and read Luke 22.31-38 or go to www.biblegateway.com ~ Luke 22

Good Morning.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you. . . that your faith would not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." It was the Lord who had named Simon 'Peter'; and it would appear that maybe Peter had been the most boisterous in his quest for power in the previous conversation, and so the Lord continues on with him.

Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."

But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me."

Three thoughts occur to me here--First, Luke really packed a lot into this chapter! Second, and much more profound: I have always found it troubling that Satan wanted to specifically test Simon Peter, asking God to allow him to do so. But this harkens back to the first chapter of Job when God gives Satan permission to test Job--to see his faithfulness. Job does indeed prove faithful, though all is stripped away from him. In fact, he says, 'though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.' (Job 13.15) But this notion strikes much closer to home for all of us than that--Satan, also referred to as 'the accuser' and 'the tempter' in Scripture endeavors to ensnare all of us. > Isn't it ironic? It is Peter who later instructs us to "be self-controlled and alert. [why?] Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5.8) He did not just want to test or deter Simon Peter and Job, the devil wants to bring us all down, particularly those who endeavor to truly serve God. We must not deceive ourselves about this, though this is not cause for fear either--'Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.' (1 John 4.4)

Third, I notice the power in the words Jesus spoke to Peter. In verse 31, He implies that Peter will fall, but his faith will not fail. Jesus spoke this in the prophetic sense of the word; He spoke of that which He knew would come to pass--Peter would fail to be a witness for Him, but would recover from that, and continue on strong in his faith. But let me get your attention here for a moment--has anyone ever spoken negative words over you? Sometimes, it may seem you will not be able to break away from what seemed to be their damning power. Obviously, this is different than Jesus saying what was going to happen, but how about 'a curse' spoken to you by your grandmother--'You are never going to amount to anything; you are just like your father, and he was good for nothing!' I remember my sweet mother saying to me, 'You are a Todd (my maiden name), and if you don't watch it, you are going to turn out just like them--critical and bitter, and with a sharp tongue.' I remember when my mom shook her finger at me, and spoke those words--I shall never forget them, but they at least offered me hope...'if I was careful, if I chose to, I could be different'. Let me tell you, I purposed from that day forward to pray to God for help with my natural critical bent; I have memorized Scripture, and read books, and endeavored not to become what my mother feared, what I came to fear--a woman defined by a critical nature.

How about you? Were you born into an alcoholic family? Were you born with 'the curse' in your physiology? I have had folks look me in the eye and say, 'I have an addictive gene, and I can't help being an alcoholic.' But then, I think of what my Lord said in John 10, verse 10, "I came that they may have life, abundant life." I've heard, "I can't help it--my dad was always yelling and angry, and I became just like him!" Or how about the teen-aged young person who has heard over and over, 'you are worthless, and never going to be successful at anything,' or the wife that hears life-robbing words repeatedly, whether it is about how dumb she is, or how fat? Even when the speaker of the words is not there, the tapes may play over and over in the mind. So many people labor under these heavy loads--some who never emerge victorious. They believe the lies, and live a defeated life. This ought not be so. Jesus came to set the captives free.

I love that the Lord called Simon, 'Peter' the 'rock' and said He would build His church on him, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16.18) In the Greek, "Peter" is petros, meaning 'rock'. You just gotta' love Peter--there was something special about him. They say that he was large of physical stature. He was impulsive--just a big, strong, lovable guy. Because of his impulsiveness, getting into trouble, he would often speak up and say the first thing that came into his mind, right or wrong. Oh, my goodness--that sounds like me! And look--oh, how Jesus loved Peter--Peter would be the leader of the early church--just turn over in your Bibles a few pages to Acts. Jesus called Peter 'rock' not because of who he was when He called him, but because of who he would become. . . In the Lord's eyes, who are you meant to become?

Maybe some of us need to take a look at what has been spoken over us or to us--words that may have crippled--identify them, and give them over to God--asking Him to purge them from our lives. . . and maybe some of us need to stop and think if we are speaking words to anyone that may damage them--identify them, confess them, and ask the Lord to purge them from our behavioral vocabulary. . . definitely something to think about. Two things to think about. . . so that we may be free. And then, why not ask God who are you meant to become? Christine