WHEN SIFTING BECOMES A SETTLING

The apostle Peter’s progression of transformation invites us into God’s way of conforming a person through the gospel. THE LORD IS VERY INVESTED IN ESTABLISHING YOU ON THE ROCK OF AGES. 

HE WANTS TO SETTLE YOU…

The pendulum swing in Peter’s life is astonishing and worthy of our attention. There is much to learn when evaluating the sporadic behavior he exemplifies that many of us can most likely identify with. Before Peter was used as God’s mouthpiece that led to the inauguration of the church, healing a lame man at a gate called Beautiful, being sent to Cornelius house to preach to establish the oneness of the kingdom, and carrying the light of Christ so brightly that his shadow brings healing to the sick just by walking by, there is quite a drastic transformation. This transformation could be summed up with this simple statement: WHEN PRESSURE RISES, OUR FOUNDATION IS EXPOSED. The more pressure we carry, the more testing comes to the cracks in our spiritual foundation. It is possible to mask the insecurities and fear that lie beneath the surface internally. 

When Satan demands permission to sift Peter like wheat Jesus could have declined and rejected this seemingly harmful request. However, Jesus is confident enough in His intercession that He allows Peter to endure the sifting because it’s necessary for His refinement that produces His SETTLING. 

THERE IS A PATHWAY OF SELF-DENIAL and suffering that has already caused Jesus to rebuke His disciple and refer to him as Satan in times past. Peter is failing to see the cruciform lifestyle Jesus is zealously desiring for him to embrace. There is a prophetic illustration of a gospel-centralized way of living that Peter’s ANXIETY is not allowing him to see. Rather than prayerfully reflecting on this statement he immediately reacts with a commitment of devotion that his current anxiety will not allow him to live up to. IMMEDIATE RESPONSES OFTEN REVEAL HOW TRULY UNSETTLED WE ARE IN OUR SOULS. Slow down, reflect, and pray. Listen simply to listen, rather than react to prove yourself. God is after an openness of the heart that invites His searching gaze of love into our hearts - Psalm 139

Jesus then reveals a metaphor that symbolizes a massive transition about to take place. TIMES OF TRANSITION MEAN UNCERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY GIVES BIRTH TO FEAR. Jesus, coming out of intercession, is approached by those coming to arrest Him and Peter’s fear overtakes him. It drives him to a sword and a slashing rather than surrender and submission. Jesus then has to heal what Peter wounds. When drastic, explosive fits of outbursts and rage are present, the spirit of FEAR is typically the driving force of the behavior. The spirit of FEAR robs you of peace and paralyzes you from your purpose!

As the time comes for Jesus' executioners to bring Him before Pilot, our friend Simon Peter is caught in the draft of the moment as he slowly follows His Rabbi from a distance. This seemingly insignificant detail of the story illustrates the lull of amnesia Peter has now fallen under considering his strong declaration of devotion just moments ago. A bold commitment of loyalty has now reversed into Peter slowly dragging up the tail end of an angry mob whose agenda of crucifying the Lord of Glory has officially begun. Now warming himself around a slow-burning charcoal fire he finds himself amid the wrong company. Regardless of his internal state, his countenance is giving away his approaching attempt to morph into a chameleon, hiding and denying who he is. 

You can’t hide when you’ve been under the shadow of the Almighty. Beloved, His presence will tell on you in all the best ways. 

Because He’s been with Him, a servant girl gives him 3 chances to come clean that are met with 3 denials. Prophecy from just moments ago has become a reality as the rooster crows after Peter’s 3rd denial. And guess who just so happens to be walking back through the courtyard, the lover of Simon Peter’s soul. Overcome with a dark cloud of guilt and remorse Luke’s gospel tells us that Peter locks eyes with the Lord and remembers the word of the Lord to him. In just a blink of an eye, Peter has gone from seemingly a warrior to a puddle of tears weeping bitterly after denying that he knows the Lord. 

As we draw our attention back to the opening text, we find a hopeful ending for Peter, repentance, and restoration is just around the corner. Still reliving in his mind over and over again his failure Peter decides he's going back to his default safety net, “I’m going fishing.“ An instruction from the good Shepherd on the shore leads to a massive catch of fish, and John the beloved gains prophetic revelation, "That's the Lord on the shore.” Rather than running from facing the One who he had just denied, Peter refuses to allow his guilt to keep him from nearness to Jesus. Notice Jesus invites Peter to follow Him as His disciple; the same method He uses to restore him, fishing and feeding sheep. 

Peter dives into the water, not to encounter an angry taskmaster, but a merciful Father. Three questions and responses are met with three commissions back into his purpose, restoring Peter to his calling. Once again prophecy is fulfilled. “Once repented, strengthen your brothers.” Peter is now the rock he was always called to be. The way of the gospel transformed Simon into Peter and established him as a pillar in the Lord’s church. 

Because when there’s a sifting, there will be a settling. 

Your High Priest is praying for it.