Strengthen Your Brothers (Luke 22:32)
I find it interesting that one of the most comforting sections in Luke’s Gospel is Peter’s worst experience. We know the story, Peter full of bravado claims he will never abandon Jesus, only to do it three different times to three different sets of people. It is Peter’s great fall from grace. In Luke’s account, he notes for us that Jesus, at the moment of Peter’s third denial, catches Peter’s eye. Then, Peter remembers the prophecy of his denial, leaves and weeps bitterly (Luke 22:62).
How is this hopeful? Jesus is now captured. Soon he will be tortured and killed. His friend Judas had betrayed him and the disciples have scattered. Peter, follows along behind Jesus only to turn tale and run! So much for his earlier bravado.
The turn in this episode of Peter’s life comes in the prophecy Jesus gave to him before hand. Jesus told him he would deny him three times (which comes true that night). But note, in Luke’s account what else Jesus told him:
“And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)
When
Just as Peter would deny Jesus three times so also he would return, he would repent. His repentance was just as sure as his denial of Jesus. If the first part proved true then graciously so would the second part. Think with me of the deep sorrow that Peter had but it was a sorrow without light. There was hope for him.
Turned
The difference between Peter and Judas is a chasm that no one can cross. Peter wept bitterly and truly repented. Judas never did. J. C. Ryle speaks of the difference between true and false repentance, ‘the falls of a graceless professor (of faith) are falls from which there is no rising again. But the fall of a true saint always ends in deep contrition, self-abasement, and and amendment of life.” (Expository Thoughts on Luke, 2:327)
Strengthen
Not only would Peter deny Jesus, while Jesus was being carried off to be killed, and not only would Peter turn (or repent of his sins), but far from being cast off by the Lord Jesus, Peter would be used by Jesus to the building up of Christ’s church. He would strengthen others. Now a man who had fallen so far, knows truly the depth of mercy and forgiveness. He can not only proclaim mercy but has deeply experienced that mercy! (See Luke 7:41-50)
Brothers
Peter’s job would be to build up the others in the faith. We do not have to guess at how this would work. We see in Luke’s sequel, the book of Acts. There we have Peter, publicly proclaiming Jesus. Publicly calling on men and women to repent. We see him being used for the building up of the church in Jerusalem.
Closing
No matter how far you’ve fallen in your sins. Jesus tells us that all sins will be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10). Regardless of how we interpret that note that wideness of grace. All sins will be forgiven, even blaspheming against the Son of Man! We see this during the crucifixion where Jesus, being blasphemed, beaten, and mocked says “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” (23:43)
Take hope as Ryle says “the fall of Peter has been a beacon to the church, and has probably preserved myriads of souls from destruction.” (Op. cit. 2:324). Because it reminds us that sins can be forgiven. That sinners can be redeemed. And finally that saints are then used to advance Christ’s kingdom! This Easter when we reflect upon the cross and resurrection, we remember that Christ went alone to the cross. He went alone to the cross to save wayward disciples like Peter. He went to save the likes of you and me!
