satan has demanded

On the night before Jesus died, at supper He said to Simon Peter, Satan has demanded 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).  No doubt this was startling news to Peter, to which he replied, Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!  As when Peter was in the glowing Presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the mountain and offered to make three booths, he didn't really know what he was saying.  The betrayal that followed on Good Friday morning made that very clear.

But I wonder what Jesus was saying here.  Satan demanded?  To Whom?  And on what authority?  Perhaps this was similar to what Satan did in coming before The Lord, asking God to strike everything the blameless Job had, and being allowed by God to cause the loss of all that Job valued, but being forbidden to lay a finger on the man himself (Job 1:6-12).  This is the mystery of the work of evil in the Presence of The Good and Gracious God.  Job ultimately survived his trial, as did Peter, and both were indeed strengthened in faith to pray for and lead their companions in faith.

I don't understand this mystery of suffering that produces endurance, character, and hope, of a kind which doesn't disappoint us because God's Love is poured into our hearts all the way through (Romans 5:3-5).  I am deeply distressed when it seems as if Satan is sifting believers like wheat.  I don't understand it, but I have lived it, and still do, at times.  I have no idea of Satan's involvement in it, but surely he is prowling around, looking for someone like me to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  But as I stand firm in the faith, together with brothers and sisters whose faith is also being upheld by Jesus' intercession at the Father's Side, and who can strengthen me in my faith, I can keep resisting the devil and turning back to God.

And so can you, and those for whom we and Jesus pray.