Peter, like the rest of the disciples, wanted to be the greatest amongst his peers so he could be served by them. Jesus wanted them to be great, as long as they were great in the way God sees greatness. God sees greatness in a person if they serve others (26-17). Jesus instructed and provided an example of this kind of greatness by washing Peter and the other disciples’ feet (John 13:6-10).
Jesus addressed Peter by stating Peter’s name twice, expressing love, while manifesting a warning voice. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” (31) The Greek word for “you” is plural. Therefore, though Jesus lovingly addressed Peter, he was warning all of the disciples. Satan wants to sift all of Jesus’ followers. Such a desire can be seen in Satan’s exchange with the Lord over Job (Job 1-2).
Wheat is winnowed (sifted) to separate the genuine wheat kernels from other items that have gotten mixed in with it: chaff (old, dead, dry scales), bugs, straw, and other unwanted items. When the wheat is ground into flour, it is sifted once again to remove the waste from the flour. Peter and the others are about to have a contest with the adversary. Jesus prayed that Simon’s faith may not fail.
Later, Peter wrote to all believers, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.’ (1 Peter 5:8-9) I shouldn’t let a desire to be greater than others blind me from a crouching lion in the grass.
