The Denial

Luke 22:31-34

31″Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you[a] as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

34Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

In this day and age I wonder if we truly believe in Satan. I know we believe in evil, but do we believe in Satan. I think many of us think that is an “old-fashioned” idea. But many people say they believe in angels, and isn’t Satan a fallen angel?

Satan is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament at all. In Job he is referred to as the Accuser. I think there is one other mention in the Old Testament. Have you ever wondered why that is? I have, and I do not know the answer.

But I can tell you that I would jump right out of my shoes if Jesus told me straight to my face that “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat”. But I would also be relieved that Jesus said He would pray for me.

Peter seemed like a bold fellow. We know he was strong. He had to be to work as a fisherman and then to follow Jesus all over the place. He undoubtedly thought he was mentally strong as well. Who… me deny You? You must be kidding. Jesus wasn’t kidding. And Peter did deny Jesus three times. But he also returned to lead the other disciples as “The Rock” as Jesus had foreseen that he would be.

Peter denied Jesus three times. I think most of us have denied Him more than that if not in words then by our actions. It is a tough thing to do to be in a group of non-believers, atheists, agnostics and be able to stand up and say, “I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He is the Son of God”…and stand your ground no matter what anyone else says to you. Whatever it is they do to you will not be so awful as what Peter and the first Christians faced when they began our journey so many years ago.

Thank God they were steadfast…despite their setbacks and denials.

Carol

Bible Breath: I am with you / One who serves