And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:31-34.
Peter’s reply shows how serious the danger really was. There was no question of his motives, his love for Christ and his readiness to suffer for Him, but of his ability to withstand the greatest temptation in his own strength. The Lord told Peter that he would deny Him three times. Peter would stumble, but, in contrast to Judas, he would return to continue in Jesus’ discipleship.
For believers it is comforting to know that Christ intercedes for them with the Father, when they have sinned. He Himself is their “advocate” with the Father (1 John 2:1, 2). His intercession means that we do not despair, but hold firmly on to the faith.
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