When Thou Art Converted

From Our Pastor's Desk

Luke 22:31-34 – “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”. 

If anyone should have been disqualified from ministry, it was Peter. Paul did some pretty awful things to the name of Christ as well, but Peter? 

He walked with Christ and ate with Christ and followed Christ and left his family for Christ. He told his Lord that he'd be with him till the end.  

And we all know what happened afterwards. And he was pretty good right up until the end shortly after seizing the ear from a guard showing his undying loyalty to the King of Kings. 

That is, until he was asked if he knew this Jesus character. And to that he replied, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." Not once. Not twice. But three times. Jesus looked back at him as He was led away; the third crow of the rooster was heard and Peter saw Jesus, remembered his chest-beating vow, broke down and wept. 

But Jesus already knew Peter would be weak at that point, and Jesus prayed for him, encouraged and forgave him. And in the final saying, Jesus says, “when thou art converted”, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers”  

Be encouraged, Brethren, be strengthened, regardless of how many times the adversary tries to sift you as wheat, remember Jesus has forgiven you, and prayed for you. Go forth and strengthen others, in Jesus mighty Name. Amen. 

You will have good success this 2022. 

Remain blessed.  

Shalom.