Wounded Healers Table Talk #4

In Luke's account of the Last Supper Jesus has some farewell words in addition to identifying the bread with his body and the cup with his blood, and urging us to remember him. He could see what was coming when they left the upper room, just as he can see what is coming for us when we leave the Lord's Table. Speaking to Peter but including the others (the "you" is plural), he says,

Simon, Simon! Look out! Satan has asked for you all, to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith might not give out. You, for your part when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." But Jesus said, "I tell you Peter, a cock will not crow this day before you have denied three times that you know me." (Luke 22:31-34, The Word Commentary translation).

Jesus knows that when his people leave the safe and comfortable confines of their meal together that they will face everything that Satan can throw at them. He will attack our weak points, whatever they are, and like those early disciples, we too are likely to falter and fail. Peter doesn't think he will and assures Jesus that he will go to prison and death with him, but Jesus predicts his downfall too. Before the night is over he will deny Jesus three times. But, Jesus says, "I have prayed for you that your faith might not give out."

Here is a leader, a fallen leader, if you will, who because he has been prayed for and has returned, or repented, will be able to strengthen his fellow disciples. He will be what has been called "a wounded healer." We often expect leaders, especially in the church, to be perfect. But they are human. Like Peter, they have weaknesses and fail, sometimes at critical moments. They have been wounded by Satan's attack. But if they are prayed for, as Jesus prayed for Peter, and if they repent, as Peter did, Jesus still has a job for them. They become stronger through all of this and are able to fulfill Jesus' desire that they strengthen others.

At this table we are all disciples who need strengthening; but at the same time we are all leaders in one way or another who can strengthen others. We too are wounded healers. We need to pray for each other, and we need to repent, and then Jesus can use us.