Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
The devil determined to attack Peter by tempting him on reflex actions, which he wouldn’t have time to think through properly. To understand why God is speaking to us about the temptations that target reflex and involuntary words and actions we need to step inside of Jacob’s shoes for a moment. Here you are, facing that existential crisis of your life, and from all appearances it seems as if not only your life is in danger, but your wife and kids as well.
In sheer desperation you decide to fast and pray like you have never done before, and because you are currently homeless, you choose a quiet spot out in nature at night to pour out your supplications. Then, suddenly, without warning, someone lays his hands on you. At that moment, your reflex action may not be what you have learned in Sabbath school all these years. I believe that you will most likely choke the assailant, because, without thorough conversion, your reflex actions will stem from mere fallen human nature.
That’s what Jacob did inadvertently, as he wrestled Christ, and they duked it out in the darkness, for as far as he is concerned, if he has to go down, he isn’t going down without a fight. Thus, he grabs Jesus, as both of them become locked in mortal combat. On the flipside of this scenario, we have Christ, who is tempted suddenly by satan, to see what His reflex actions and words might produce. But much to his chagrin and dismay, only righteousness oozes out of Christ, because there is no trace of any sin, no latent tendencies that can be fanned into life.
Matthew 26:67 Then they did spit in His face, and buffeted Him, and others smote Him with the palms of their hands.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!