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Maundy Thursday 2022 : “But I have prayed for you”

Text: Luke 22; John 21
14 April 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. A number of Events took place

a) The Passover Feast
b) The Lord’s Supper instituted
c) Washing of the Feet of the Disciples

2. A number of significant conversations took place

a) Betrayal Forewarned
b) Argument of who was the Greatest
c) Warning given to Peter about his denial

THE POWER OF SATAN ASSERTED

1. Fuelling the Opponents of the Lord Jesus

“You are of your father the devil”   John 8:44a
a) “A murderer from the beginning”   (John 8:44b)
b) “Does not stand in the truth”   (John 8:44c)
c) “There is no truth in him”   (John 8:44d)

2. Filling the heart of Judas Iscariot

a) Betrayal planned
b) Colluding with Enemies   (Luke 22:2)

3. Fearsome attack upon Peter

a) “Satan has asked for you”   (Luke 22:31a)
b) “That he may sift you like wheat”   (Luke 22:31b)

THE PRAYER OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Intercessory

“Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear”   Hebrews 5:7
a) Prayers and supplications
b) Vehement cries and tears
c) And was heard because of His godly fear

2. Insightful

“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”   Luke 22:32
a) That your faith should not fail
b) When you have returned to Me
c) Strengthen your brethren

3. Inspirational

1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
a) “Men ought always to pray and not lose heart”   (Luke 18:1)
b) “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”   (Luke 18:8)

THE DENIAL OF THE LORD JESUS BY PETER

1. Forewarned of denial   (Luke 22:34)

33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”   Luke 22:33-34

2. Failure of Peter to take heed

a) Pride
b) Over-confidence
c) Courage failed
d) But faith did not fail as the Lord Jesus had prayed!

3. What went wrong?

40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”   Luke 22:40-46
a) The Lord Jesus prayed
b) Peter, James and John slept

RETURNING TO THE LORD JESUS AND STRENGTHENING THE BRETHREN

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”   John 21:15-19

1. Returning to the Lord Jesus

2. Renewal of love for the Lord

3. Strengthening the brethren

a) Feed My lambs   (John 21:15)
b) Tend My sheep   (John 21:16)
c) Feed My sheep   (John 21:17)

CONCLUSION

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”   Ephesians 6:18

1. Let us be challenged to strengthen our prayer life

2. Let us seek the help of the Spirit of God

3. Let us be even more watchful

4. Let us persevere in our prayer efforts

BUT I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU

The enemies were both cruel and wicked;
They had chosen the way of sin instead.
They were of their father the Devil;
Thus, they pursued the path of Evil.

One of the Twelve had succumbed to greed;
Satan entered his heart to commit a foul deed.
Judas betrayed his Master for a paltry sum;
Satan controlled him till his deed was done!

Then Satan desired to sift Peter like wheat;
He would find his weakness and then hit!
What could withstand Satan when he attacks?
Faith and Prayer are things we must not lack!

“But I have prayed for you,” the Lord assured;
Peter’s faith would remain, it would be secured.
Areas of weaknesses would have to be strengthened;
Thank God for a Saviour who has such deep compassion!

Charles Tan
Inspiration: Luke 22:32; Hebrews 5:7