Sifted Like Wheat
.
Luke 22:28-37
28. "You are those who have continued with me in my trials; 29. and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30. that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32. but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." 33. And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." 34. He said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you three times deny that you know me." 35. And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." 36. He said to them, "But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. 37. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, `And he was reckoned with transgressors'; for what is written about me has its fulfilment."
Jesus knew that not only Peter, but all the disciples would be “tested” in the hours and days to come. Things were getting pretty scary for those following Jesus. But they were about to get worse! And even though Peter thought his devotion to Jesus was enough to sustain him, Jesus knew otherwise. Because he knew what it meant to be human. He knew that even when we love someone, we can hurt them or deny them, out of fear, or self-preservation. More than that, he fully grasped what was at stake and I wonder if he knew that Peter would in the end be “The Rock” upon whom “the church” would be built, or if his prayer to His Father was that he had correctly “heard” God in selecting this brash, though loyal and good man as the leader of the new kingdom on earth.
Jesus warned the disciples to take with them what they would need to survive in the world. Without him there to guide them day by day, situation by situation, they would need to be ready to draw on what they had already received. Jesus wouldn’t be there in person, but his words were etched in their minds, and his message carved in their hearts. While our faith is all we need to sustain us, the world tries to ravage our lives with lies and hate; and to eat away at our resolve when wars rage and famine overtakes a people.
We must keep up our strength. That’s why it’s so important to go to church and be a part of a faith community. A place to be safe and to grow and learn and be lifted up is crucial if we are to survive with our souls intact in this day and age. Don’t believe the lies. Don’t listen to those who try to sell you something “better” than Jesus. Don’t follow those who want to lead down a path of self-destruction. Be armed with a knowledge of scripture. Be fortified by reading the bible every day. Be consoled by your brothers and sisters in Christ. When you do fall, declare it to others, as testimony that our faith allows us to be picked up and brushed off and made new again. Encourage one another.
It’s not easy to be a Christian. Jesus never said it would be! If we go out into the world armed with knowledge and awareness of the “danger zones” we can be better prepared to defend ourselves. And we must defend others who are not strong in their faith. We must teach them, not only with our words, but with how we treat them. A former pastor, and dear spiritual mentor, once told our congregation, “Life is hard. But God is good.”
I hope today you rejoice that even in the “hard” parts of your life, and you remember that Jesus won the final victory for you on the cross. And that in the “easy” parts you praise a God who blesses us beyond imagining.
Mary
