Luke 22:31

Luke 22:31 says, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  Jesus told Simon Peter than Satan was ready to sift him like wheat because he, Satan, desired to have him.  Satan still wants people today, especially those who are close to putting their faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse thirty-two adds, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  Jesus said that He had prayed for Peter, that his faith might be strengthened, and that after he was converted he would be a source of strength for the other disciples.  What we  may sometimes forget is that the disciples did not truly understand Who Jesus really was, but Jesus was praying for them.  Jesus will always be praying for people to be converted and to grow in faith after they are.  Verse thirty-three states, And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.   Peter declared his unwavering faith to Jesus, saying he was ready to follow Him to prison or death, but he was speaking from faith in himself and not faith in Jesus.  We may make bold claims about our faith in Christ, but the question is whether or not we are making it based on self pride or true faith.  Verse thirty-four adds, And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.  Jesus told Peter that in spite of his bold statement that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed.  Our statements made based on self pride will not always keep us faithful to Christ.  Verse thirty-five says, And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.  Jesus reminded the disciples of when He had sent them out without money, and asked if they lacked anything, and they answered that they lacked nothing.  When God sends us out today to do whatever He has called us to do, He will provide for our needs and we will lack nothing that we need to accomplish whatever we are sent to do.  Verse thirty-six adds, Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  Jesus warned the disciples that once He was gone that they would not have it as easy.  Real persecution was coming, and this is something that we must be prepared to face today as Christians.  Still, if we remain faithful to Christ, we will always have everything that we need to remain victorious spiritually.  Verse thirty-seven declares, For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  Jesus warned them of His coming death on the cross where He would be counted among the transgressors.  Some people still see Him the same way today, because they have not put their faith in Him.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.  The disciples took inventory of their weapons, and said thay only had two swords.  Jesus said that was enough.  Whatever we have today when we put our faith in Jesus Christ will be enough to keep us spiritually safe forever.  The things of this world will never save us.