Luke 22:31-34

Here in starting in v7 Luke begins to talk about preparation for the Last Supper.

And the passage moves from the preparation in vv7-13, to the meal itself in vv14-23, and moves us into Jesus’ teaching at the table (vv24-38).

In v24 a dispute breaks out among the followers of Jesus about who is going to be the greatest.

While the disciples argued about greatness, Jesus set an example of humility and servanthood ().

Jesus then makes this awesome statement of “I am among you as the One who serves.” (in v27)

which is in the context of vv19-20, where His death for sinners is in view.

His death was the ultimate display of humble service (; ).

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible The Last Supper (22:1–46)

While the disciples argued about greatness, Jesus set an example of humility and servanthood (John 13:1–17). His death was the ultimate display of humble service (Mark 10:45; Phil. 2:3–8).

Beeke, J. R., Barrett, M. P. V., & Bilkes, G. M. (Eds.). (2014). The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible (p. 1499). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

Then in v31 our text begins with a prediction. Let’s read it together. (read vv31-34)

which is in the context of vv19-20, where His death for sinners is in view.

There are three key words that I want to draw your attention to in this passage.

The SATAN, SECRET, STRENGTH.

1. The PROBLEM with Satan, in the prediction.

"“Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.” ()

Satan has asked to have you.

The Devil was close to Christ’s flock, though they did not see him.

He was plotting their downfall, but they were unaware of it.

The wolf does not crave the blood of the lamb more than the Devil desires the destruction of all of our souls tonight.

“Satan has asked to sift you”

There is something very awful in this expression.

It shows us that the devil is often “desiring” to

accomplish our ruin, and

striving to accomplish it,

striving to accomplish it,

while we know nothing of his doings, because he is invisible.

A. The Desire of Satan “Satan has asked”

A. The Desire of Satan “Satan has asked”

There is something very awful in this expression.

Ryle, J. C. (1997). Luke (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

It shows us that the devil is often “desiring” to

A. The Desire of Satan “Satan has asked”

accomplish our ruin, and

striving to accomplish it,

while we know nothing of his doings, because he is invisible.

B. The Design of Satan “to sift you like wheat.”

This expression signifies that Satan desired to shake, toss to and fro, and harass the apostle,

just as wheat is shaken to and fro when it is dressed and winnowed,

to separate the grain from the chaff.

It aptly describes the effect of temptation on a believer.

Whatever Satan’s intention may be, the result of temptation is to bring out the chaff, or weakness of a believer.

The personality, activity, and power of the Devil are not thought about enough by Christians.

The Devil brought sin into the world at the beginning by tempting Eve.

He is called by our Lord a murderer, the prince of this world, and a liar.

Jesus made clear his intention to drive Satan out of people’s lives and to destroy his sovereignty (; , ; ).

He liberated a woman “whom Satan (had) kept bound for eighteen long years” ().

Paul spoke of his being sent to turn people “from the power of Satan to God” (), and

that the works of the “lawless one (were) in accordance with the work of Satan,” in doing sham miracles, signs, and wonders ().

Christ will come, he wrote, to overthrow that agent of Satan.

While the activity of Satan is carried out in “the world” (i.e., among those who do not acknowledge Christ as Lord),

he also works against the followers of Christ.

He influenced Peter’s thinking about Jesus to the extent that Jesus said to his disciple, “Get behind me, Satan!” ().

He asked for all the disciples in order to severely test them ().

He “entered” Judas Iscariot (), and “filled the heart” of Ananias ().

Believers can be tempted by Satan due to a lack of self-control in sexual matters (),

and he can even masquerade as “an angel of light” to accomplish his purposes ().

He tormented Paul by means of “a thorn in (his) flesh” ().

Some people even turn away from their faith to follow Satan ().

Satan opposes the proclamation of the gospel, snatching away the seed (the word) that was sown in people’s hearts (; ).

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Satan

Jesus made clear his intention to drive Satan out of people’s lives and to destroy his sovereignty (Matt. 12:26; Mark 3:23, 26; Luke 11:18). He liberated a woman “whom Satan (had) kept bound for eighteen long years” (Luke 13:16). Paul spoke of his being sent to turn people “from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18), and that the works of the “lawless one (were) in accordance with the work of Satan,” in doing sham miracles, signs, and wonders (2 Thess. 2:9). Christ will come, he wrote, to overthrow that agent of Satan.

While the activity of Satan is carried out in “the world” (i.e., among those who do not acknowledge Christ as Lord), he also works against the followers of Christ. He influenced Peter’s thinking about Jesus to the extent that Jesus said to his disciple, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matt. 16:23). He asked for all the disciples in order to severely test them (Luke 22:31). He “entered” Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3), and “filled the heart” of Ananias (Acts 5:3). Believers can be tempted by Satan due to a lack of self-control in sexual matters (1 Cor. 7:5), and he can even masquerade as “an angel of light” to accomplish his purposes (2 Cor. 11:14). He tormented Paul by means of “a thorn in (his) flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). Some people even turn away from their faith to follow Satan (1 Tim. 5:15).

Satan opposes the proclamation of the gospel, snatching away the seed (the word) that was sown in people’s hearts (Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12).

Dunnett, W. M. (1996). Satan. In Evangelical dictionary of biblical theology (electronic ed., pp. 714–715). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

He’s a PROBLEM.

2. The PRAYING is the Secret in the prediction.

"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail...”” ()

Jesus has prayed for you (v32)

A. The Report of the prayer, “I have prayed for you”

We don’t need to hesitate to regard this as an example of our Lord’s exercise of His office as an intercessor for His people.

What He did for Peter, when Peter knew nothing of his danger,

He is daily and hourly doing for all who believe on His name.

Pray for those who lead you. Young people, pray for your moms and dads and pastor’s and their families.

Ryle, J. C. (1879). Expository Thoughts on Luke (Vol. 2, p. 415). New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.

Peter is a leader and Jesus prays for him, as one that is expected to exert influence on others.

B. The Reason for the prayer, “that your faith may not fail.”

Jesus is praying that Peter’s faith would prevail!

Does anyone remember what piece of armor, in the armor of God that quenches the fiery darts of the enemy? (the shield of faith).

If our faith is kept up in the hour of our temptation, though we may fall, yet we’ll not be utterly cast down!

Faith will quench Satan’s fiery darts.

And…though there be many failings in the faith of true believers, yet there shall not be a total and final failure of their faith.

God seed remains in them. (NASB please read )?

Can someone look up ?

So we sin, but we can no longer make a practice of our sin because His seed is in us.

Which is the imperishable, living, and enduring word of God!

Ah! what a pleasant and comforting truth to God’s people.

Our most greatest, sneakiest, and most watchful enemy cannot hurt them nor harm them,

without permission from Him who is

their Sweetest Savior,

their Dearest Husband, and

their Choicest Friend (Heb. 7:25).

So there’s a Problem with Satan in the prediction.

There’s Prayer which is the Secret in the prediction.

3. There’s that which PRODUCES the Strength in the prediction.

"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”” ()

This problem produces strength in the believer because of the prayer of Christ.

Notice the certainty of it...

A. The Promise from the product “when you have turned back”

Those that have fallen into sin much be turned back from it.

Those that have turned aside much return.

Those that have left their first love must do their first works.

It’s one of God’s glorious attributes that He can bring good out of evil.

He can make the weaknesses of some of them that are united to Him by faith, to work together for the benefit of the whole church body.

He is going to take a fallen disciple and use it as a means to make him humble and Christ-like, so that he might strengthen others.

Doesn’t that cause you to look at one another and at the things that we all go through and want to deal gently with one another?

B. The Precept from this product “strengthen your brothers.”

To be sure, considered in and by itself, Simon’s fall was bad, very bad, tragic.

Yet, once it had occurred, Simon must make good use of this bad fall.

He must use it to strengthen his fellow disciples.

Those turned back from sin (by grace) must do what they can to give strength to their brothers and sisters while they stand.

Giving strength to prevent them from falling (cf. ; ).

Are we preparing ourselves to strengthen each other?

Marriages, are you seeking to give strength to your spouse?

What about those inside the body of Christ?

Sadly, there are far too many believers, who in conversation, add nothing to help their brothers and sisters!

Many seem to have no wonderful, merciful Savior to speak of.

Many seem to have no reports of grace to share.

Many chill rather than warm the hearts of their brothers and sisters.

Many weaken others rather than strengthen others.

No… listen to the order of these words:"And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.” ()

Get on to strengthening one another.

Remember our context? "Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.” ()

Instead of wrangling around about who’s the greatest, give yourself over to the better work of raising up, confirming, and doing good to your brothers and sisters.

Teach each other about all the beauty of humility.

When contending for greatness, you bear the marks of the Devil.

Peter’s reminded that he must regard the other disciples, not as inferiors, but as brethren.

The joy we have in the promises of God is always doubled when it bubbles up over the brim of our life and spill over onto others.

God broke the back of Peter’s pride and self-reliance that night in the agony of Satan’s sieve.

But he did not let him go.

He turned him around and forgave him and restored him and strengthened his faith.

And now it was Peter’s mission to strengthen the other disciples.

Jesus provided for the disciples by providing for Peter.

The strengthened becomes the strengthener.

Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.