Disciples on utter self-failure!
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
The best thing that could Ever happen to you outside of finding Jesus by Grace through Faith – is to utterly, completely and without any room for options have self-failure!
Only through self-failure can there be Faith growth and therefore the capacity for God to work wonders through you! In this same speech that Jesus was giving Simon Peter, He told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed. This was a huge slap in the face for Peter, his ego must have been crushed and Peter could have easily wondered what all the other disciples were thinking of him.
But in the above passage just before the harsh words Jesus would share we see His reason for the situation that would cause Peter pain.
Through personal pain and understanding there is the possibility for spiritual growth!
I say possibility because many don’t listen and see the lesson and as a result they become bitter! Some will leave for a time – only Love can bring them back and that is why I teach, minister and write this simple blog – pleading with Christians to Be about the Fathers business of unconditional Love and Acceptance!
Look though for a moment at the lesson Christ knew Peter would receive – “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” – based on Peters personal failure and finally getting it – Peter would be able to strengthen the brothers!
Because Peter would deny Christ – Peter would finally understand things about Christ that many would not! I can hear Peter years later strengthening brothers saying, “And you think you messed up, holy Hanukah let me tell you about my mess up!”
Faith doesn’t grow in a vacuum – a vacuum is only designed for sucking out – not building up!
Jesus knew that satan could use this as a chance to sift the wheat and that many would fall and leave Him – but He also knew that only through this difficult time could the disciples grow and learn to become The Lovers He needed to start Christendom!
Hi Bob. I think one of Satan’s tools is fear. In the Church, it is fear of looking bad by not knowing everything that makes people arrogant, critical and domineering and that pushes people away from God. Rod
Hi Rod,
So very true and the tool for that fear is the law! Each denomination and even individual church has their own idea of right and wrong that everyone else has to follow – that’s not Jesus its an inquisition all over again!
Bob
Bob, for some reason I got a strong feeling connection with Jesus when I read your post. This is what I didn’t get in any of the churches I visited over the years. It is so sad that they aren’t getting it. Rod
Thank you Rod,
That means a lot to me!
Bob
Inspiring – as usual :)). Thank you and stay blessed!
Thank you so very much sister!