The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 202

Vers. 31-34.-The special word to Simon. Its solemnity is indicated by the twice- repeated "Simon." Observe, when the warnino- is given, this is the name used· after- wards (ver. 34;,, in reply ~ the disciple's protesbl.tion, "I am ready to go both t~ prison and to death, the name is changed, " I tell thee, Peter." How gentle, how pathetic, the irony! Of the Peter, the rock, it is to be said, "The cock shall not crow until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." Note three points in the word of Christ. I. THE TEMPTATION. To him the personality of the tempter is always real. Rea.I, in respect of his own temptations: " Get thee hence, Satan;" "The prince of this world cometh." Now we are reminded that it is real in respect of the temptations of men. Beware of foolish speaking and jesting in connection with the actual existence of the Satan. " Behold I " says J csus. All is vividly present to him; he would have the agency of the adversary vividly present to bis follower. The expression employed is very striking (see the Revised Version, "Satan asked to have you"), The phrase recalls the scene in Job ii. But this is memorable-the tempter recognizes the proprietary of the Lord. Of Judas it is said," Satan entered into him," Of Simon it is said, "He asked to have you." This is one over whom he has no right, He belongs to the Son of God-a man given him by the Father. And he makes request that the disciple be sifted. In the margin of the Revised Version it is put as an alter- native reading: "He obtained you by asking." All is so suggestive. The Christian Father speaks of the Chrntian'sfasting-day.,. Such days aro often part of the experi- ence of God's people. 'rhe sieve, as if with God's permission, is applied. The tempter obtained the Lord himself by asking, and tho sieve was applied to him. It was similarly applied to his apostle; it is similarly applied, in one form or another, to those who are his. God will have his wheat winnowed. Hcmcmber, there is the sieve: "Watch and pray." IL THE INTERCESSION. It is spoken of (ver. 32) as past, and a.s a transaction accom- plished in the invisible world. And who knows what transactions are there realized? How blessed is the assurance that "Where high the heavenly temple stnnds, The hollBe of God, uot made with hands, A great High Priest our nature wears, The Gnardian of mankind appears" I "I made intercession for thee." Ah! in the day when all secrets arc declared, with what marvellous licrht will this word be illumined! Ye Simons of all ages, thyself, 0 my soul, what a reflection it is that between the one tempted and the outer darkness there is the intercession of the ever-living and ever-mighty One, who is able to "save to the uttermost"! What is the intercession? Not that the sieve be withdrawn, that the sifting fail? It is needful. Simon would not have been the Peter h~ became with- out tile sieve and without the d:.Xip!ine. The tempter and the trial arc used a.'I discipline. He who would not pray that his own be taken out of the world, will not pray tLat tlie Satan-requeh-t be refused. No; but he intercedes thnt the "faith fail not" (ver. 32). 'fLe great feature of Simon was his confidence in Christ. Why should on. xxu. 1-71.] 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCOTIDING 'l'O ST. LUKE.