“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter…” Luke 22:61
All around was chaos. Jesus had been betrayed by a follower, then shackled by soldiers and led away from the peaceful garden. He now stood before religious authorities intent on putting Him to death. Peter had heard Jesus’ prediction of his own betrayal but had hotly denied that he would ever leave his Savior. Now he stands in the courtyard within sight of Jesus’ first appearance before His accusers and—just as Jesus had forecast—Peter vehemently three times denies that he knows Jesus.
And then the rooster crows. Peter immediately remembers Jesus’ words: Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. Peter looks over to where Jesus stands, perhaps expecting an outburst from Jesus: “I told you so, Peter.” Or maybe “It’s just what I expected from you, Peter.” We have no words of Jesus recorded, but Peter’s immediately reaction to Jesus’ look was sorrow: He went outside and wept bitterly. Because of Peter’s later life, I believe he saw sorrow, acceptance, compassion and love.
Often we cringe when we think God is looking on us. We transfer our own judgmental attitudes onto Him, finding it difficult or impossible to believe that His looks are full of grace and truth. That His forgiveness is ready and that He has plans for us almost beyond comprehension. The psalmist wrote it beautifully:
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
They outnumber the grains of sand.
And when wake up, you are still with me!”
Psalm 139:17-19 (New Living Translation)
Lord, I do love you. I do trust you. But I often want to hide myself from your penetrating gaze. Help me “look full in your wonderful face” and there find forgiveness and love.
Describe how you think God is looking at you. How does your description influence the way you look at others?
by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission