Bible

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Blowing Away The Chaff
Read: Luke 22:31-34

Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you. —Luke 22:31-32 Luke 22
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you [1] as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."


Show footnotes


The Greek is plural.
In Jesus' day, wheat was separated from the chaff by a process called winnowing. A person would shake the winnow back and forth while blowing over it to remove the chaff. Jesus used this analogy to prepare Peter for the trauma he would face when he'd see his Master being led away to the cross. He said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31).

Satan would shake Peter to the core of his being in an attempt to destroy his faith. But Jesus, knowing Peter's weakness, assured him, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (v.32). In spite of this warning and reassurance, Peter still denied that he ever knew Jesus. You might ask, "Wasn't that a failure of his faith?" No, it wasn't his faith that failed, but his courage.

Perhaps you or I have "denied" the Lord. Oh, we didn't lie as Peter did, but by our behavior we denied Him. Like Peter, we may have wept bitterly (v.62). When we return to the Savior, we receive forgiveness, restoration, and a renewed call to service. And we sense, as I believe Peter did, that God often uses Satan's sifting to blow away some of the chaff of our self-confidence and pride. —DJD


When Satan launches his attack,
We must take heart and pray;
If we submit ourselves to God,
He'll be our strength and stay. —Sper

Satan's ploys are no match for the Savior's power.




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