“And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren'. But he said to Him, 'Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.' Then He said, 'I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me” (vs31-34).
We think that we're stronger than we are, so we trust in ourselves, instead of Christ: we fall because of pride, but He doesn't forsake us (vs31-34). He said, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail”. Peter, like the other apostles, thought that he could stand against temptation and Christianity wasn't so tough. He didn't realize that he could do nothing without Christ's help, that Satan is no play thing for man to conquer; he is a dragon only tamed by the Lord. Self-confidence must be purged from us, so that we can be useful.
Peter STRENGTHENED his brothers after a fall, so that repentance and faith qualifies us to help others. Jesus said, “when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren”. We don't keep the law with God; we come another way, for it is written, “all have sinned and fall short [presently and continually] of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Therefore, we come by faith, recognizing the only reason we're saved is the grace of God. He gave Christ as our surety, and He prayed for us, but not the world; He is the reason that we get the Spirit, and God is the first cause of grace, always. Rather than be great in myself, as if I'm strong, we learn the GREATNESS of God's glory in salvation. Then, we love people, praise God, and seek to serve in meekness instead of pride. Christ's intercession to God on our behalf, even though we are sinners still, restores us to our senses and gives us confidence in God instead of self! Yes, Satan would have his hour, but Christ would love Peter to repentance, keep him from falling away, and restore him by pardon and grace to a life of helping others, rather than looking upon himself as better.
Secondly, the sword, when used properly, honors God (vs35-38). Jesus said, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack;' and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one”. We honor Him in self-defense, protecting ourselves from the evils of men, and when the government uses the sword to punish evil-doers, it acts as God's hand. He says, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Rom 13:3-4).
Yet, we don't live by the sword (Rev 13:10). Scripture says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18). We come preaching faith and salvation, rather than ruling by force. We balance defending ourselves with loving people, knowing it is right to do both.
Finally, the gospel declares God is good, and we say, “Nevertheless, not my will but Yours, be done” (vs39-44). We, like Christ, believe the goodness, holiness, and salvation of God, so we bow to Him on His terms. He tells us how to live, what to think, and we surrender, even unto fighting our flesh, as Jesus did, because it is God's will. He knew that He must suffer, so He surrendered to it, asking God for a way out, but submitting to God's way ultimately. Let us live like this: we want success, ease, and spiritual victory, but we may well suffer in loneliness, poverty, and dark trial after trial, but we bow to the God of grace, knowing that His will is best for us, and it will produce the results we want in due time. God's will is our salvation, which Christ died for, so how can He will anything not good, when He is unchangeable in love? Submit to Christ as He submitted to the Father and be enthroned with Him: the reward is worth the pain.
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