Luke 22: 31 and 32 records a very intense, yet intimate discourse between Jesus and Peter. It would leave Peter both devastated, yet incredibly comforted. This moment was seriously intense. Jesus was just hours away from suffering one of the most horrific deaths that would ever be recorded. He is in the press; the pressure and stress are beyond anything anyone had or would ever face. He is trying to pour into the disciples all he can in the short time he has left. And then, there’s Peter. He’s listening to all of this, maybe for the first time having the reality of it all hit him. He is as bold and confident as ever not realizing that in a few hours he too, will be in the press, facing failure at an unprecedented level. In the heat of this discussion Jesus makes, what I consider, to be one of the most powerful and comforting statements he would make. He told Peter “I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU.”
What was Jesus saying in this statement, and what does it mean for us today? First, Jesus was in the most intense, stressful, agonizing moment of his life with all of humanity at stake, and here we see he laid it all aside to think of Peter and pray for him. That is so incredible yet, so incredibly like Jesus. Jesus could see the devastating moment that was waiting for Peter and set aside his own wellbeing to pray and ask the father to help Peter’s faith to stand. How great it is to know that the Prince of Heaven sees our times of being “pressed beyond measure”, lays aside everything and begins to intercede before the Father on our behalf. We aren’t just left to muddle through life. Jesus is not only with us, but he is before the throne pleading our cause. He “ever lives to make intercession for us” (Heb. 7:25) in our times of trial, hardship, the Gethsemanes that we face.
Secondly, he prayed for Peter while knowing of the fact that Peter was going to fail him. He knew that in spite of all the brave, courageous words Peter was speaking, epic failure was coming to test his faith. He knew this failure would hit Peter hard so hard, in fact, that Peter would be tempted to walk away. Not because he didn’t love Jesus, but because he had failed the one he loved so much. This was not a small insignificant failure, but a failure of epic proportion. But, before it ever happened, Jesus planted hope in Peter. In essence, he was saying to Peter “I know you’re going to fail me. It will be painful and devastating to both of us and you will see no way to recover. But I’ve prayed for you, Peter, and I know that in spite of your failure, you’re going to turn to me, get up and get ready to carry on the work I have for you”. Jesus did not give up on Peter. Everyone has or will face the prospect of epic failure. Just like Peter, it will seem so great that we will see no hope of recovery. It is vital that we, in those times hear Jesus saying to us “I have prayed for you.” We must remember that what he did for Peter, he is doing for us. He is interceding with the full assurance that we won’t stay in the failure, but we too will get up, dust ourselves off and prepare to complete the plan and purpose that is our destiny. Remember, he won’t give up on us.
Lastly, Jesus prayed for Peter because he was getting ready to complete the investment in Peter that would be necessary to carry the gospel to the world. He was saying in essence, “Peter, I’ve prayed for you because I’m going to need you to accomplish the plan I have for mankind.” Jesus chose Peter himself. He poured himself into Peter because he knew that he would not be here physically to get the message out and Peter and the others would be how he would accomplish the Father’s plan. He prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail because the success of the purpose he was getting ready to die for rested on him and the other disciples. What a great comfort to know that Jesus prays for us because, believe it or not, he needs us. True, he could do it all himself, but he knew the best way to reveal his love for man was through a man that that love had transformed. He needs us to take his love to a lost, hopeless world so he prays for us that our faith will remain and be strengthened.
So what does this all mean? The ugly part is that because of our fleshly nature, we will at some moment fail our Lord. That’s not negative confession, it’s just reality. Our failure will confront us, condemn us and even tell us there’s no way back. The beautiful part is that Jesus has already prayed for us. That should absolutely electrify us spiritually. He saw the failure coming and went before the throne pleading our cause. The Prince of Heaven, the Lamb of God, the one that all of heaven bows in worship, the sinless, spotless Son of God has, and continues to pray for us. He knows the failures will come, he knows our faith will be tested and he believes our faith will hold. He is ever before the Father’s throne on our behalf.
The best news of all? His prayers always get answered.
