By God's Set Purpose and Foreknowledge
Luke 22:31–32
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Not even Satan can challenge God's plans unless God lets him. He may have succeeded in Judas but God used it for one of His greatest purposes, our redemption and liberation from sin. When it came to St. Peter, he may have temporarily won, but God victoriously raised the Christ and that event restored St. Peter and the rest. In a week, we will go into a time of remembrance of the passion of our Lord, may it be a time of reflection, repentance, and revelation for each of us. May we be emboldened to joyfully proclaim our redemption— the forgiveness of our sins on the cross, and our hope— Christ risen from the dead, the handiwork of God, as St. Peter did: "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him (Acts 2:22–24)."
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Not even Satan can challenge God's plans unless God lets him. He may have succeeded in Judas but God used it for one of His greatest purposes, our redemption and liberation from sin. When it came to St. Peter, he may have temporarily won, but God victoriously raised the Christ and that event restored St. Peter and the rest. In a week, we will go into a time of remembrance of the passion of our Lord, may it be a time of reflection, repentance, and revelation for each of us. May we be emboldened to joyfully proclaim our redemption— the forgiveness of our sins on the cross, and our hope— Christ risen from the dead, the handiwork of God, as St. Peter did: "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him (Acts 2:22–24)."
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