Sifted Like Wheat

Sifted like Wheat

Luke 22:31-34, NIV

[Jesus said,] “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you 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.”

Setting the Scene

How difficult it must have been for Jesus to say to Peter: “Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” To understand why Jesus said this to Peter, we must understand sifting. Sifting doesn’t change wheat; it simply removes chaff and chunks of debris to prepare the wheat for effective use. Satan’s purpose, of course, is to gather the chaff and highlight our impurities. He is the ultimate accuser (Revelation 12:10). God’s purpose, however, is to prepare us for works of service that he has designed for us. As wheat, we may not enjoy being sifted, but we must endure the testing process in order to become useful for the Kingdom.

Jesus gave Peter several encouragements along with the news of his upcoming trial. First, he assured Peter that he had already prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. What a stunning revelation: Denying Christ doesn’t necessarily mean our faith has failed! It simply means that chaff has been revealed and it’s time to immediately return to Jesus.

Second, Jesus assured Peter that he would indeed return by saying, “when you have turned back” (not “if”), a process that Jesus himself participated in (see John 21:15-22).

Third, Jesus assured Peter that the testing and sifting process—though he would fail it—would provide a lesson for others. Jesus told Peter to put his shocking example of weakness to good use by undertaking to “strengthen your brothers.”

Getting Personal

What times in your life as a believer have you felt that Satan was sifting you as wheat?

What encouragement can you take from Peter’s experience?

What helps you grow closer to God in times of testing?

Failures of one kind or another are our universal lot as members of the fallen human race. Failures are not good in and of themselves; but they can wake us from lethargy, force us to approach things differently, and allow us to be of encouragement to others, not only warning them of danger but also being there to help them “turn back” when failures come.

Talking to God

Express your willingness to be “sifted” if it’s necessary for you to become a more faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus. Depend on his prayers for you, and ask him to help you, despite your weaknesses, to be part of strengthening your fellow believers.