HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Luke gives some further detail into the discussion between Jesus and Peter concerning Peter’s denial of Christ. In discussing Mark’s account of this event yesterday, we pointed out Peter’s imperfections, but Luke reminds us that there was more involved in Peter’s denial of Christ than just his rash overconfidence. Peter’s denial was the result of Satan’s tempting work in his mind and life. As Jesus told the apostles of the coming difficulties and their impending desertion, Satan was busy convincing Peter that there were no circumstances that would cause him to run away. Maybe if Peter had listened to Jesus more than to Satan, he would have avoided the circumstances that precipitated his denial. Satan then easily turned up the heat on Peter in what was already a very tense situation by using people to question his relationship with Jesus. Just as Peter did, we often underestimate the ability of Satan to tempt and trouble us and trust too much in our own ability to withstand. We would do well to learn the lesson that we must always be on guard and seek God’s help in overcoming the temptations that Satan places before us.
What can we do to help us overcome temptation?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
