Peter could not accept that the Messiah must die a shameful death, cursed by God and deserted by his closest companions. He could not accept a suffering Messiah who came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus knew this. He knew that Satan would sift Peter like wheat. Jesus knew Peter’s faith would fail, so he prayed for Peter and urged him to turn again to God and become the rock who strengthens his brothers (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus knew that Peter would never grasp the reality of God’s grace until he had faced the reality of his sinfulness. Only then would he become a rock on
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