sterizo

Luke 22:31-32

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Such vision. Perfect beauty and perfect love in so few words.

Power, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, purpose, love.

Jesus tells Simon that Satan has asked FOR him, to sift him as wheat.

While Satan is trying to destroy Simon, God is confirming Simon’s faith.

We see the limited power of Satan as Jesus reminds us that Satan “asked” for Simon; Satan has no power over Simon that has not been given to him by God. Satan asked and God allowed, let’s not get confused about who is in control.

And the incredible tenderness of Jesus, “But I have prayed for you…”

Before Simon’s faith is being confirmed, Jesus has already prayed for him. Jesus sees this spiritual battle approaching, and intercedes on Simon’s behalf.

So, how do we grapple with the fact that Simon then denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed?

It’s hard for us to see past Simon’s “failure.”

But, I don’t think that Jesus sees it that way. I don’t think that’s failure to Him.

The process of confirming our faith is a long and winding one. The process of our faith not failing is rarely without pain and struggles and brokenness.

Jesus sees this in Simon and He tells him he has prayed for him. In advance. As Satan asked for Simon, Jesus prayed. For the purpose of Simon’s faith not to fail.

We know that the Word tells us Simon proceeded to deny Jesus three times over a short period of time. Where we see this as failure, Jesus must not. He sees the beginning from the end. He knows we are just dust.

And what does Jesus tell him will happen next? “…and when you have returned to Me…” Jesus sees where Simon is going, yet He knows God’s purposes will come to pass.

If we’ve chosen to slide, we can also choose to put on the breaks. We can choose to turn, to adjust where we’re going and what we’re doing. Just because we’re sliding, doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It may just mean that we’re one turn away from returning to Jesus.

And He exhorts Simon “strengthen your brethren.” This word strengthen comes from the Greek “sterizo,” which means to turn resolutely in a certain direction.

It’s like Jesus is telling Simon, “Your faith is about to be confirmed, you’re going to fall down, a lot, and you’re not going to recognize yourself. But I recognize you, you still belong to Me. On this road you’re about to walk down, don’t forget that you belong to Me. I’ll be with you and remember, I’ve already prayed FOR you. And when you remember, your job will be to come alongside other people and remind them to stay connected to Me. And you’ll be able to do this with humility and sincerity and compassion, because you’ll remember what it looked like when your own faith was being confirmed. You’ll give grace and mercy because you’ll remember that I gave it to you.”

And this is the beauty that our Savior gives to us.

Sterizo sweet friends, go and turn and know that whatever you’re facing, God is confirming your faith. Go and encourage someone today.

xo,

Nicole