Never...Not Me!

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of 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 your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Luke 22:31-34

Was Simon Peter one of the loudest in his claim that he was the greatest of the disciples? Ever find yourself in Simon’s place? Thinking how much better than so and so you are? You look at the other person and inwardly boast, “I’ve never done that.” Was Simon the chief among those boasting to be the greatest? The Bible does not tell us. We know Simon was impetuous. He asked Jesus to call him to walk to Him on the water of the Sea of Galilee.

Now Jesus singles Simon out of the group and pronounces the shocking future action of Simon: He would deny Jesus three times before sunrise.

Simon responded like we do when we think we are the greatest. Peter could have said, “I would never do that…not me.” Instead, he chose an even stronger response. “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” Simon boxed himself into a corner from which there was no escape. He was certain he would not deny Jesus.

Was Simon impulsive? If we could have asked him later, he would have bowed his head in shame and softly answered “yes.”

Perhaps we are not as dramatic or impulsive as Simon. But we are like him. To deny this fact is to swindle ourselves of the truth. First, we both have the same enemy as Simon did. Did you notice Jesus first said to Simon, “Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat” It was not only Simon who would deny Jesus…all of His disciples would soon deny Him. When we, like Simon boldly say something like, “Never! Not Me!” we have forgotten one undeniable fact: Satan is “sifting” us. He is always examining our hearts to find the thing that will separate us from Jesus.

We have denied Jesus as Simon did. Think of the times we have rejected Jesus. Then think of who He is. Jesus is the Son of God. He is the final Judge of all the living and the dead. You and I will stand before Him one day. (Recall Jesus’ words about the “end of the age.”)

Is it wise to reject Jesus?

Does it seem prudent to refuse His love?

Now consider what Jesus told Simon AFTER He had explained that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat. The words of Jesus are the best way to communicate this…  “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 your brothers.”

Did you catch it? Jesus prayed for Simon BEFORE his denial. And Jesus prays the same prayer for us. He prays that our faith (faith which He gives to us.) will not collapse…will not come to nothing. And Jesus prayed that Simon would repent, turn to Jesus again and strengthen those around him.

And Simon did. We’ll get to this in the book of Luke in future verses.

For now, remember Simon denied Jesus. Then he was deeply sorrow filled. After, Simon repented and became one of the most powerful witnesses for Jesus.

Remember Jesus pleads to God…for us. He prays that when we deny Him like Simon, we will repent-turn from our denial-and be strengthened to be a powerful witness for Jesus to those around us.

We should never feel forgotten! Jesus prays for us-even now.

Think a moment. How good is it?-God-the True and Living- prays for us!