Sifted Like Wheat

Posted by Dion Todd October 7th, 2024 1,436 Views 28 Comments

Jesus was only hours away from being arrested. He had poured His life into the twelve Apostles, teaching them all things. Yet, on their way to their last supper together, the Apostles argued over who was the greatest among them. Add in a little pride and a little knowledge, and young men tend to puff up (1 Corinthians 8:1). It reminds me of seminary all over again.

During their last supper together, Jesus turned to Peter and said this:

(Luke 22:31–32 NKJV) 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."

Farmers would shake wheat through a sieve to separate the grain from the useless chaff. They kept what was good and threw out the bad. Jesus knew what was coming, and the twelve did not. Apparently, satan had asked for permission to sift them as wheat to see what was inside them, and it was granted to him.

Jesus had prayed for Peter but also knew that it would be a severe trial, for He added, "When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Jesus did not pray for Peter to be spared from the test but that his faith would not fail during it.

People can often appear put together on the outside while hiding impurities within. But the Lord has a way of humbling us when we least expect it. Sifting brings pressure and exposes what’s truly inside our hearts. It’s not meant to break us down or destroy us but to refine and strengthen our faith - just as wheat is purified by separating out what doesn’t belong. For Peter, the sifting revealed areas of pride and fear that needed to be removed so he could be fully restored and used for God's purposes.

(Luke 22:33–34 NKJV) But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

When they came to arrest Jesus that night, Peter drew a sword and cut off Malchus' right ear (John 18:10). Jesus stopped Peter, healed Malchus, and put the ear back on his head. Then, He allowed the mob to arrest Him, and Peter followed along, keeping his distance.

Within hours, Peter was weeping bitterly at his failure. Overcome by fear, he denied knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus had foretold. As the rooster crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:54-62). Jesus knew Peter would stumble, but it wouldn't end there, for he would be restored, strengthen the others, and become the leader of the early church.

Peter thought it was the end of his ministry days, but it was only the beginning. The training wheels were coming off. The enemy hoped to destroy Peter's faith with a severe trial and cause him to abandon his calling, but Jesus interceded for him and prayed that his faith would not fail. Just as Jesus prayed for Peter, He prays for us. We can hold on to our hope, knowing that our High Priest continually intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

Sifting humans did not begin with Peter; it was here long before. The Book of Job is considered to be the oldest book in the Bible, except for the first few chapters of Genesis. There, satan asked to sift a man named Job:

(Job 1:8 NKJV) Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"

(Job 1:9–11 NKJV) So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"

(Job 1:12 NKJV) And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Once again, we see a faithful servant of the Lord, blameless and upright, subjected to a severe test to reveal what was truly in his heart. satan sought to prove that Job's fear of God was only because of the abundant blessings he had received, arguing that if those blessings were taken away, Job would curse God. Job endured unimaginable suffering, losing everything he had. It’s difficult to grasp the depth of the trials he faced fully, but through it all, his faith was put to the ultimate test. Imagine this day in Job's life:

(Job 1:13–15 NKJV) Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house; and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

(Job 1:16 NKJV) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

(Job 1:17 NKJV) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

(Job 1:18–19 NKJV) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

(Job 1:20–22 NKJV) Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job was sifted like wheat but, in the end, was restored and blessed with double everything he lost. His faith did not fail. To simplify, satan is a tool for testing someone's character, and he has to have God's permission to touch you.

I can't explain everything, but I have learned that my comfort is not God's prime directive. He is seeking something else, like faith, fruit, and obedience. Jesus said:

(John 15:1–2 NKJV) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

So even when you are bearing fruit and doing things right, He will prune you so you will be more fruitful. Being pruned is not pleasant. Being sifted is not pleasant. Yet, those things refine us and cause us to grow.

The stories in the Bible provide examples of how God can use tests and trials to purify your faith, and our weakest moments can become the most life-changing. Our trials, when overcome, equip us to help others going through similar struggles.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for another day. I appreciate You so much! I pray that You help me stand strong through trials and tests. Please help me see the big picture and learn to trust You. Help me learn to dance in the rain. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!