Satan’s Demand Series

LUKE 22: 31-38

SATAN’S DEMAND [JESUS’ LAST NIGHT SERIES]

[Job 1:6-12 / 1 Peter 4: 12-19 / Romans 8:18-25]

Once again we are looking at Jesus’ last night before His crucifixion. Here Jesus tells how Satan had sought to have the disciples in order to sift them (Job 1–2; Dan. 10:13) and lead them to fall away from Jesus. Jesus then foretells that Peter would deny Him three times that same night before the rooster crows. However, He assured Peter that in spite of Satan’s desire to put them through difficult times, Peter’s tested faith would not fail. Though he would wavier, he would be restored, and would be the leader of the disciples.

Jesus attributes Peter’s coming defection to the direct activity of Satan. Christ tells Peter of the devil’s design upon him and the rest of Jesus’ disciples. Satan comes as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, from the highest leader to the least among us. How do we survive

such debilitating attacks?

I. PETER'S DENIAL FORETOLD, 31-34.

II. ADVICE FOR THE FUTURE, 35-38.

Jesus turns to Peter and tells him some dreadful news starting in verse 31. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,’

Christ now tells Peter of the devil’s design upon him and the rest of Jesus’ disciples. The repetition of Peter’s former name adds weight to the warning. The asking and obtaining seem to be alluding to Job (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–6), whom the devil solicited and obtained permission so that he might sift him as wheat.

The first occurrence of “you” in Satan has demanded to sift “you” the Greek word “you” (hymas) is plural, referring to all of the disciples [in contrast to Peter, who is addressed (v. 32) by the singular “you” (sou)]. This seems to be a reference to the testing of the faithfulness of all Jesus’ followers.

Sifting is a part of life and an expected reality for all followers of Christ. We have all felt and will feel the pain of sifting. It is the process of separating the useful from the unnecessary. It is accomplished by crushing and sorting for the purpose of finding the nourishing seed or core from the trappings (chaff) that hide it.

[Three methods of threshing were in use in ancient times, and in some places in the East today. Jesus seem to be referring to THE FLAIL METHOD. A flail was used for threshing small quantities of grain. Ruth (Ruth 2:17) & Gideon (Judges 6:11) used such a wooden instrument. The cut stocks or sheaves were beaten in an attempt to break loose or free the grain. With the grain dislocated it needed to be separated or recovered from the chaff. Winnowing was accomplished by the use of either a broad board or shovel or a wooden fork which had bent prongs. With this instrument, the mass of chaff, straw, and grain was thrown against the wind.

When the grain and straw, not as yet separated, are thrown into the air, the wind does its work. Since the grain is the heaviest, it naturally falls quickly down. The straw is blown to the side into a heap, and the lighter chaff and the dust are carried beyond (into a flattened windrow).

When the winnowing process is over, then comes the sifting of the grain. The wheat or barley will still be more or less mixed with certain amounts of chaff, little stones, and perhaps some tares. Sifting is therefore necessary before the grain can be ground into meal. The sifter seats herself on the floor, and shakes the sieve which contains the grain, until the chaff begins to appear on the top, and this is blown away by lung power. The stones are removed as are also the tares. The wheat then is ready to grind or pound into the flour which is used to make bread.]

The metaphor of sifting implies separating what is desirable from what is undesirable. Here the thought is that Satan wants to prove that at least some of the disciples will fail under severe testing (i.e., putting them through difficult times). The accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10) was insinuating that he would find chaff enough in their faith, if indeed it was actually real at all. He demanded permission to try them, particularly Peter the most outspoken of the group. Note that like Job Satan could not sift them unless God gave him permission. The Accuser demanded to be able to sift them, that he might show them to be chaff, and not wheat.

From the preceding argument about their personal greatness, Satan may have accused the disciples before God as following Christ for self-interests, aiming at enriching and advancing themselves in this world just as Lucifer accused Job.