In the Sifter

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” Luke 22:31.  I still have a sifter in my pantry, but since the advent of pre-sifted flour, I rarely use it.  The purpose of this device, for you younger folks, is to separate the hard bits of flour or other dry ingredients, from the rest.  No one wants to bite into a cupcake and get a mouthful of flour or baking soda!

 In this particular verse, just before his crucifixion, Jesus is warning Peter, and the rest of the disciples, that Satan has approached God with the request to test or sift them, not unlike he did with Job. Judas has already been sifted, and is about to do Satan’s bidding.  The enemy is feeling fine indeed; one down, eleven to go. Peter is considered to be the voice the group, and we all know how he replied, swearing allegiance till death.  We also know how badly that turned out. Peter became a lump.

When flour is lumpy it’s usually caused my insufficient milling, stray chaff, or moisture.  In Peter’s case, Satan‘s goal was “not to change him into chaff, but to make him look like chaff, by covering the wheat of grace with the chaff of sin and corruption; to destroy the wheat, or to toss them to and fro as wheat is in a sieve; that is, to afflict and distress him; see Amos 9:9 by scattering him both from Christ, and from the other disciples; by filling him with doubts about Jesus being the Messiah and Redeemer: and by frightening him with the fears of enemies and of death.” (Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible).   This was the guy who had actually been with Jesus, and he was left in the sifter; what chance do we have? Well, crazy as it may seem the Bible tells us this, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2.  OK, so maybe not joy in the conventional sense, but every trial gives us an opportunity to become less lumpy.  Satan doesn’t bother the lumps he already owns, so that should make you feel special!

 Going back to the opening verse, Jesus follows it up with this one.   “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32.  Thank God, we have Jesus covering us in prayer, especially during those tough times in the sifter.  In addition, our new found “lump-less-ness” will give strength and encouragement to all those facing similar trials!