"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32 NLT)
The setting is Jesus’ final Passover meal before His Crucifixion. Jesus has just proclaimed that one of the disciples will betray him. All the disciples began arguing who would betray Jesus and somehow this argument turned into who was the better disciple and who will be greater in the kingdom to come. Jesus explains their error and how it will be in the Kingdom of Heaven when he turns to Simon Peter and tells him He is praying that Simon would not lose his faith. I find it odd that He refers to him as Simon. Perhaps He was speaking to Simon's carnality or old nature. No matter how strong we are in Christ our sin nature is always a part of our physical bodies and the part of our will that is tied to it is continually in rebellion to God. It is this part of us that Satan uses as a door, attempting to open us up to sin. In the King James Version Satan "desires to have you" and in the New American Standard Satan "demands permission." This sounds a great deal like the book of Job where Satan comes before God and asks for the ability to test him. Like Simon and Job, Satan is requesting permission to sift us. Therefore, we should take great care to pray for each other that in times of distress and sifting, we don't lose our faith either.
It is important to note that Christ does not pray that Simon will not be tested, only that he will return to Christ again. He says, "so when you have repented and turned to me again" telling us that because God forgives us when we repent, we must forgive ourselves then we may return to our mission, our 'first love', to Christ Himself. He is waiting for us to come back ... always. No matter what you have done or how far away from Him you have strayed He is waiting for you to return. Only death can stop you from doing so.
The last section of this scripture Jesus tells Simon once he has returned to his faith, his belief and trust in Christ that he should "strengthen and build up his brothers." Because we don't really know who is a Christian and who isn't (only God knows the heart of man) I believe we should do our best to strengthen and build up everyone. We will go through trials and tests. And while everyone has different experiences, the trials and tribulations we endure will give us the insight to help others with their own struggles. We should always be prepared to use personal experiences to help others.
In circumstances it is difficult to keep believing that there is a God that loves you and wants the best for you. A young lady I know was laid off just days after signing the note on a car loan with a hefty monthly payment. A year later, she is still living with her parents and relying on their financial assistance. And while she has sent countless resumes and been on her fair share of interviews, the positions always went to others with more experience also out of work. It is difficult to encourage someone when you are working, so I try very hard to strengthen her faith and build her up. When I am down about something, she is also very good at strengthening and building up me. This is God's design.
I hope that somehow this has helped to strengthen and build up you. And that you can find a way to do the same to other. God Bless You in Your Journey.
