READING: Luke 22-23
The scene must have been quite unusual. Jesus called Simon Peter twice by name to catch his attention, and the Son of God informed Peter that Satan had asked permission to sift all the disciples. The enemy—who cannot go beyond God’s boundaries—sought to shake all the disciples violently as if they were on a sieve. If I were Simon, I likely would have wanted to say to Jesus, “Well, did you tell him ‘no’?”—but Simon instead strongly affirmed his commitment to go to prison and die for Jesus. Jesus, of course, knew what would actually happen in the hours to come.
But, the words Jesus had already spoken to Simon would make all the difference in this tragic story: “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32). Simon would, as we know, deny Jesus, but he would not ultimately deny his loyalty to Him. Indeed, he would be the preacher of the hour in Acts 2. Nevertheless, he would so return to Jesus not because of his own commitment and strength, but because of Jesus’ prior prayer that Simon would not ultimately fail. In the words of one of my former colleagues, “Jesus’ prayer would prove greater than Satan’s attempt to undo his disciples’ allegiance.”*
Today, as we begin the work week, I’m deeply grateful Jesus is praying for me even now (Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25).
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What difference does it make for you to know that Jesus prays for you?
PRAYER: “Lord Jesus, thank You for making intercession for me today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Luke 24, John 1-3
* Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 552). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
