ルカによる福音書22:31-34 Luke 22:31-34,

When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, he had his last meal with his disciples on the evening before the day of his crucifixion. This is called the Last Supper. At that time, Jesus announced that one of his disciples was about to betray him. That betraying disciple was a man called Judas Iscariot. Jesus then said to his disciple Peter as follows.

“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.”

Simon means Peter. And Satan is the devil. “Sift you like wheat” means to test the disciples to see if their faith is genuine, to sort out the true disciples from the false ones. In fact, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus when Satan entered his heart and sold Jesus to the Jewish leaders for money.

So, was Peter able to win the test of Satan because he had a good faith? No, he did not. As Jesus says, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail,” Peter did not become a traitor because Jesus prayed for him that his faith might not fail in the face of Satan’s test. Jesus saw that Peter’s faith was surprisingly weak, even though he seemed to believe in Jesus fervently. Jesus also saw that Peter would fail at least once. That is why he said, “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Those who have experienced setbacks can use their experience as strength to encourage those whose faith is weak. Jesus indicated in advance the role that Peter, who looked strong but was actually weak, would play in the future. However, when he was told this, Peter was not happy. He thought he was a faithful disciple of Jesus. Therefore, he said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

However, Peter soon had to realise that his faith was very weak. Jesus warned him, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” In fact, when Jesus was being interrogated in the high priest’s house, the high priest’s servants pointed out that Peter was Jesus’ companion, and Peter said three times, “I do not know him, i.e., Jesus.” Knowing well such weakness in Peter, Jesus still forgave him and said, “When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” In fact, after Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day, Peter was forgiven by the risen Jesus and given a new role to look after those who believed in Jesus.