Holy Week Tuesday

On this third day of Holy Week, we give undefiled praise to our Risen Lord and King, Jesus Christ, whose truth we celebrate. We again are held fixed by our Lord’s loving care and concern for Peter, His disciple, who is about to be severely and specifically attacked by the vicious and fierce devil. We listen to His Word of Command and Authority as He informs Peter that he has been picked by Satan to be severely tempted. But Jesus also assures him that he will return to Him for He, his beloved Lord and Master, has prayed for him.

Here is today’s, Jesus Experience.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Luke 22: 31 – 32 NKJV

Holy Spirit, take all unbelief and doubts from me, about ever retuning to Jesus, after I have fallen in sin. Let me know that I have already been prayed for by Jesus, our High Priest, so that I may accept the gift of repentance. Amen!

We are given sound words of warning and advice in 1 Peter 5: 8. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We are again kept alert and sober-minded to the fact of who our enemy is. He is Satan, the devil. Know also that Satan, the enemy, is a spiritual force who comes at us through human beings. He uses humans to do his evil, deceitful work. He even uses believers, as we have witnessed with Simon.

We need to stop here for a while. We cannot but pause, right here, as in this most precious third day of Holy Week, a great and wonderful opportunity has been spread out before us all. Regardless of who we are, or how weak or strong our faith may be, the devil is not afraid to approach us and sift us like wheat. Why would he be afraid of you, when he has already had conversation and communication with Almighty God, asking for permission to put you through this tough time? The devil has already been given permission by God, to sift all of you, not just part of you, but all of you, as wheat, so why will he pass up such a golden opportunity with people of faith? We are walking this path through Peter.

Stop and Acknowledge – Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.

God, the Father, has given permission to the devil to sift you. Nothing the enemy does to you is through his own authority. Never give any credit to the devil regardless of how he is attacking you. Look ever to God who is the Supreme Authority. Has not Jesus taught us in prayer, to ask our Father in heaven, to lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil?

We give unadulterated praise, honour and thanks to God. Amen!

Stop and Accept – But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.

God, the Son, has prayed for you that your faith may not fail. Jesus, who came down to earth and took on full humanity, knows that one’s faith can fail. He knows, because He is fully human. However, in His fully Divine state, He prays for us that our faith will remain strong and true and pleasing to Father God. Has not the Word of God told us that without faith it is impossible to please God? That wicked, evil enemy, the devil is gunning at our faith, you know because he knows very well that we dishonour, displease and discredit Almighty God when we turn our faith from Him. You see, to turn our faith from God is to turn our faith to the devil. O how he wants this to be! But we remain firm in the Word of Jesus that He has prayed for us, and as long as He has prayed, His is answered prayer. It is so!

We hold strong to the prayers of Jesus and give Him all power, respect and praise. Amen!

Stop And Appropriate – And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

God the Holy Spirit is with us to guide and lead us to repentance, so that through His help and healing, we will turn back to God, and receive His forgiveness and reinstating. When we have received this privilege we will waste no time in sharing our forgiven life with others to strengthen them in faith and trust. When we appropriate this gift of forgiveness and reinstating, we do not ever forfeit any privileges or opportunity that is placed before us. We are spirited and enabled by the Holy Spirit, to offer God’s Word in season and out of season. Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4: 2. While Satan is licking his wounds at losing you and me, for a time, we will work only for Jesus.