Dear Explorer,
Re-Read Luke 22:31
I've stated before that I'm not a Greek scholar, but the Greek word used for “you” here is plural. (Some say it's Southern – because it means you-all). So, Jesus was speaking to all the disciples and I believe He's speaking to us today.
Yesterday, I mentioned that Satan often (unintentionally) makes us stronger by tempting us. But I want us to look specifically at something else that God uses Satan to accomplish in our lives.
What does Luke 22:31 say that Satan wanted to do with Peter?
What does that mean? Is that positive or negative?
Let's take a closer look at “sifting wheat”. Nowadays you hear a lot about “whole wheat bread”. I want to make sure that you understand that “whole wheat bread” does not mean that the wheat grain is left intact. Whole wheat bread means that the manufacturer included the wheat seed and some of the wheat covering (chaff) to increase the fiber content and give it more texture than just white flour. But – and this is important to know – it does not mean the wheat seed is left intact.
If the wheat seed is left intact, then it will not release its gluten (the soft part in the middle of the grain). If you tried to make bread with intact grains of wheat – it wouldn't stick together because it is the inside of the wheat seed that contains the gluten. If you tried, you would end up with very hard seeds that would hurt your teeth to eat and it would be a mixture similar to granola – not bread!
Bread is made by mixing the flour (wheat that has been crushed or beaten up – which is what this word “sifted” means) with other ingredients so that the gluten (the inside of the wheat seed) forms bonds that make it sticky and stretchy and makes the bread light and fluffy – but soft and wonderful. Oh, I love a good pan of warm bread. Pass the butter, please.
So, my interpretation of Luke 22:31 is that Satan wants to beat us up! Satan wants to crush us! But Jesus says that when Satan does that – it just makes us more useful in His recipe for the Kingdom.
Notice that He tells Peter that after he has gone through his struggles, then he will be better able to help his brothers (the other disciples).
Wow! Now I am not encouraging you to fall into Satan's trap and temptations. But I do want you to understand that God can take anything that Satan dishes out and use it for His advantage and ours!
It is amazing to me, but those areas that seem to be total defeats according to the world, often become our best way to relate to others who are struggling. For example, a woman who has been sexually assaulted is often the best counselor for women dealing with similar problems. A former alcoholic or drug user can often minister better to those with similar addictions. God takes what the enemy meant for evil and He turns it into good.
In His service, dale
Next study