On Failure and Hard Times

There are a few verses in Luke, one of the Gospels, that go like this:

“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.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything”?

“Nothing,” they answered. — Luke 22:31-35

This is only 5 verses, a lot can be taken from it. Jesus knew Peter would deny that he knew Him three times that day. But that didn’t change how Jesus saw Peter. Jesus also was making a point to the disciples that Jesus will provide everything that they need, and that they shouldn’t focus on worldly things.