Does Satan Want You

Argument: As children of God, there are seasons where God allows Satan permission to sift us for his glory.

Upon reading this at first glance, Luke includes this verse in a chapter where the plot thickens, the major players are within the disciples are coming to the front. Judas is identified as Jesus’ betrayer and Peter is cast as the turncoat. This is the last week that he would spend with his disciples, and here he’s settling a dispute about who’s the greatest while fulfilling the Scripture. After the Passover and Lord’s Supper, Jesus retires to the garden in preparation through prayer for his purpose. Luke is the only write that includes all the disciples excluding Judas in the Gethsemane scene when he asks why are they sleeping, and tells them to rise so they won’t enter into temptation (Luke 22:46). Jesus is arrested and betrayed by Judas, and denied by Peter three times, which he remembered and left and wept bitterly. He’s beaten and mocked by his captors, then dragged into this kangaroo court where the verdict was determined before the trial.

During the Supper, Jesus not only foretells of his impending death, but he tells Peter, the future evangelist and leader of the church that Satan has asked for him. This pillar…this “rock…” has been tagged for sifting. The one who declared that “Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16) would now be subjecting to the sifting caused by Satan. When people preach and teach on spiritual attacks and warfare, they glorify it and make the basis for their entire ministry. But do we really understand the difference between an attack and sifting? Job was attacked; Peter was sifted…

Satan asked for Permission

Yes, Jesus declared that Simon (reed) would be called Cephas (a mass of rock detached from the living rock). The word “behold” is idou (ἰδού) is a demonstrative or presentative participle that draws attention to what follows. It is the aorist middle imperative that serve as a marker of strong emphasis indicating complete validation of what is said. Yes, he promises that his disciples would do greater work, they would share the promise of reward and a place of messianic fellowship. Satanic battles do not occur between Jesus and Satan…Anyone associated with Jesus is subject to sifting and attacks. Jesus uses the word exaiteo (ἐξαιτέω) is aorist verb indicative meaning to ask for with emphasis and with implication of having a right to do so. Jesus predicts Peter’s unfaithfulness and the fact that Satan has the right to “sift the disciples.” like wheat. If Peter, a chip off the rock is shamed, then the other disciples would be disheartened. “Attacks and siftings that do not have God’s permission were permitted by you.” Does Satan find you desirable enough to ask permission for you? As a child of God, Satan needs God’s permission because he has no power over you unless God grants it The devil is powerful, but he’s God’s devil!!! He operates under a divine mandate as well because he one of God’s created being. Why would God grant a satanic request? Though Satan simply wants to harm and destroy, God uses Satan’s activity for his own holy purposes. The Lord sometimes allows Satan to tempt us in order to draw out the evil that is in us—evil of which we may not even be aware of.

“Though Satan has the right to ask for us, it is God that gives him permission to sift us.”

Satan has a specific purpose for his permission

He speaks to the group in verse 31, but to Peter in verse 32. Sifted like wheat is an idiom that in our culture would parallel “take someone apart” (Amos 9:9). Satan did not ask to “attack” him as we think of in the modern church. Attacks of the adversary come to plant adverse thoughts about God into your spirit. Adverse thoughts create moments of self-sabatoge in the believer as we magnify the adversary rather than the Anointed One of Israel. Jesus predicts Peter’s unfaithfulness and the fact that Satan has the right to “sift the disciples.” like wheat. If Peter, a chip off the rock is shamed, then the other disciples would be disheartened. The phrase “to sift you like wheat” (Σατανᾶς ἐξῃτήσατο ὑμᾶς τοῦ σινιάσαι ὡς τὸν σῖτον) is translated as “to test you” or “to test you so as to separate the good from the bad.” If Peter, a chip off the rock is shamed, then the other disciples would be disheartened. Satan wanted to take Peter apart because of Peter’s bold calm that he was ready to serve in prison, even die for Jesus. Peter is self-assurance is not sufficient enough to resist severe temptation (1 Cor. 10:12-13). Peter is brave in the privacy of a quiet meal, and when the soldiers show up, he will initially take up arms to defend Jesus. But what will he do when those hostile to Jesus ask him where his allegiance lies? Jesus’ prediction of a triple denial before the rooster crows shows that he knows Peter better than Peter does. When we try to stand up to pressure in our own strength, we may wilt. Self-confidence when we are not relying on Jesus is deceptive.1 The Lord sometimes allows Satan to tempt us in order to draw out the evil that is in us—evil of which we may not even be aware of. By doing this, he reveals to us our sinful tendencies and weakness so that he might lead us to repent. We are not as strong as we think we are.

1 Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), Lk 22:7–38.

Jesus’ prayer gives you mercy in your “when” season

In Matthew 26:31, 56, Jesus foretold that all his disciples would run away that night. Peter will be able to strengthen fellow believers after his fall because he will understand how God’s mercy, be prepared to suffer and be ready to give a defense because he will have experienced all of these opportunities himself—some with failure and others with success.

Jesus teaches God’s grace in this warning to Peter: Do not trust in your own strength, but realize that after failure there will be opportunity for restoration. Jesus intercedes for his own even when he knows they will fail him. Intercession evidences the Savior’s love (1 Jn 2:2). Even disciples who fail in a moment of weakness can experience the success of God’s work. The lesson is an important one not only for Peter but also for all the disciples he represents. Though Satan will come after all of them, Jesus will be praying for them all.

Jesus’ final words make it clear that circumstances are changing. Opposition to the disciples is rising. Where before Jesus had sent them out empty-handed yet they were provided for (9:1–6; 10:3–4), now they will have to take provisions and protection for their travel. They will have to procure a sword. Scripture such as Isaiah 53:12 is finding its fulfillment in Jesus. Jesus is rejected; he is numbered with the transgressors.

The disciples take Jesus’ remarks literally and incorrectly. They note that they have two swords, but Jesus cuts off the discussion. Something is not right, but it is too late to discuss it. As the arrest will show, they have misunderstood. They draw swords then, but Jesus stops their defense in its tracks. He is not telling them to buy swords to wield in physical battle. They will have to provide for themselves and fend for themselves, but not through the shedding of blood. They are being drawn into a great cosmic struggle, and they must fight with spiritual swords and resources. The purchase of swords serves only to picture this coming battle. This fight requires special weapons (Eph 6:10–18).

Humility, dependence, promise of authority and reward, warnings about opposition and the pursuit of faithfulness are the topics of Jesus’ final testament meal. Luke assumes that disciples will engage the larger world and face a great cosmic battle. But they are not to withdraw or be afraid. Rather, with humility and looking to God, they can face suffering and the world bravely and effectively. Jesus is about to exemplify the walk of the innocent before a hostile world. His success is not indicated by his withdrawal or even his survival; it is indicated by his faithfulness (1 Pet 2:21–25).1

Questions

What is the significance of Jesus telling Peter that Satan has asked for him to be sifted like wheat?

How did Jesus indicate that Peter's self-assurance was not sufficient to resist severe temptation?

What warning did Jesus give to Peter about his impending denial before the rooster crows?

How did Jesus teach God's grace in the warning he gave to Peter about his upcoming trials?

What did Jesus foretell about his disciples' actions on the night of his betrayal?

Why did Jesus emphasize to Peter the importance of not trusting in his own strength?

In what ways did Jesus' interactions with Peter demonstrate the concept of intercession and the evidence of the Savior’s love?

How can Peter's experience of failure and restoration serve as a lesson for us in relying on God's grace after our own failures?

What lesson can we learn from Jesus instructing his disciples to buy swords as they prepared for opposition and the coming battle?

What does the interaction between Jesus and Peter reveal about the balance between human responsibility and God's sovereignty in allowing trials and temptations?

Why did Jesus stop the disciples from using their swords during his arrest, even though he had earlier told them to procure swords?

How can knowing that God sometimes allows Satan to tempt us in order to reveal our weaknesses lead us to rely more on God's strength and grace?

In what ways can we learn from Peter's initial boldness and subsequent denial to be cautious about our own self-confidence and reliance on God in times of trial?

How can we emulate Jesus' faithfulness in the face of hostility and suffering in our own lives, especially when confronted with opposition for our beliefs?