Sifted As Wheat

In the book of Luke, chapter 22 verses 31-34 we get a front row seat to Jesus telling one of his most faithful followers, Simon Peter, that very soon he would betray Jesus. He told Simon Peter, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 

A few things stand out to me here. First, Satan asked to manipulate Peter and Jesus allowed him to do so. Second, Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail and that when he turned back he would strengthen his brothers. This is significant because it illustrates to us that when we sin, just as Simon Peter did, that does not mean our faith has failed. It does not mean we lose our salvation in Jesus and endless supply of grace. We are separated from God for a season until repentance, but we never lose our assurance of eternal life because of a flawed moment of judgement. He always welcomes us back to him. 

This Simon Peter guy was pretty stinking committed to the cause of Jesus. He'd stood by Jesus through the most difficult of his earthly trials. During his arrest, he actually CUT OFF the ear of some dude attacking Jesus. It's clear he loved Jesus and was deeply committed to him. He left his former life behind to be his follower. 

However, despite his great dedication,  like we all do at times, ole Simon Peter eventually did mess up. And boy did he mess up messily!  

Later in Luke 22: 56-61, we see Peter disown Jesus not one, but three times. Three times! The very Savior he'd diligently followed and gave up his ideas and plans for his own life to serve was so easily pushed aside in exchange for a safe moment of warmth by a campfire on a cold night. 

Peter denied Jesus with his words, but it's the same for us in our sin. We deny Jesus with our actions. We exchange our commitment to him for a moment of acceptance, or to avoid conflict, or maybe even just a moment of comfort because it's easier. Whatever the motive, the result is the same. 

In verse 62 after the rooster had crowed as Jesus foretold, Peter went out and wept bitterly. I believe in this moment, he felt extreme remorse and probably a good bit of shame. Perhaps just as we do when we've turned our backs on Jesus and chosen an alternate path, particularly, as in Peter's case in front of a crowd of those who don't know Jesus. 

But remember the prayer Jesus prayed for Peter? Remember the beginning of this story? Jesus knew Peter would deny Him. He knew he'd turn his back on Him. This didn't take Jesus by surprise at all. In fact, He allowed this to happen for his glory. He used Peter's moments of weakness to grow and strengthen Peter, and then he grew from that weakness, generations of Christ followers. 

Through prayer and time spent with Jesus, Peter knew that Jesus had placed within him the power he needed to pick himself up, turn back to Jesus and change the world in His name. 

After his betrayal, Jesus entrusted Peter with his church (he literally said on this rock (which is what Peter means), I will build my church.) He did just as He said. Peter went on to preach at Pentecost and began a church with 3,000 new believers. He healed a lame begger and preached boldly in crowds where he was persecuted. He wrote two books in the Bible and more! In the end, he died a martyrs death to glorify Christ. His story didn't end when he denied Jesus in a moment of weakness. No, it didn't end. In fact, that moment of weakness is where his real ministry actually began. 

Maybe you find yourself in a similar place that Peter was. Maybe you've not represented Jesus with your words. Maybe your actions have been anything but glorifying to God. Perhaps even hypocritical at times. Maybe your sin isn't visible to others, but rooted instead deep within you and hidden in the quiet places of your life. Or it's possible you're following the rules, but not walking daily with God through prayer and Bible study. Wherever you find yourself, it's ok. It's not too late. You have within you, through Jesus, the power to pick yourself up, turn back to Jesus and change the world in His name! 

Don't  waste your moment of weakness-don't let it be in vain. Give it to God. Just as with Peter, God will use your weakness as a segway into your greatest ministry. God is bigger than all our sin. His grace is greater than all our failure. Live in it, breathe it in, let it wash you anew. Then watch as He uses your greatest failures as your greatest ministry. Glory!