Luke 22:31-32 [KJV] Jesus spoke to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for you, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Peter assured Jesus that, even if everybody else failed Him, he would not. He was ready to die for the Lord. He was serious. He was determined. He meant it from the bottom of his heart. He truly loved Jesus.
But everything Peter was expecting fell apart. His vision was shattered. And in that moment of confusion, Satan came, and sifted him. And Peter fell. He failed. He blew it about as bad as anybody can blow it. He denied the Lord… Denied that he even knew Him.
So did Peter’s faith fail? Jesus had prayed for him, that his faith wouldn’t fail. No, his faith didn’t fail. When he realized what he had done, he went out and wept bitterly. Not just the weeping of regret, but the weeping of repentance. Many feel regret, without repentance… including Judas. His bitter weeping was because he still loved the Lord.
When Jesus restored Peter (John 21:15-17), that was what really mattered. “Do you love Me?” Three times… “Do you love me?” That line had never been broken. His faith had not failed. Now it was time to turn his eyes away from his failure, and his sin, and his regret; and turn his attention to helping others… strengthening his brethren.
This is for somebody today. Yes, you may have stumbled, and fallen, and sinned against the Lord. But Jesus loves you, and He’s for you, and He’s prayed that your faith fail not. That’s why you feel the sorrow of repentance. All He’s asking you now, is “Do you love me?”
If you know that you love Him… you really do love Him from the bottom of your heart, and you know, that He knows, that you love Him… then it’s time to get up, turn around, thank Him and praise Him for His wonderful mercies… and turn your attention away from yourself, and onto helping others. Feed others. Strengthen your brethren. He loves them just like He loves you.
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