“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.'” (Luke 22:61)
This verse has haunted me since my first reading of it — to have the Lord not only predict my denial, but then to catch me red-handed. To know that when my third denial took place and the rooster crowed, Jesus intentionally turned to see me, to then look into the eyes of my Lord and Savior. All of this would be too overwhelming. So why does this verse haunt me? Because I am aware of my duplicity. I am aware of the fact that I feel I have gotten away with things because the Lord doesn’t see me. I don’t find myself looking into the eyes of Jesus in my times of weakness, and hence feel that I have gotten away with something.
How silly of me. How foolish to think that because I am not looking into Jesus’ eyes that He is not peering into mine. The book of Proverbs says, “A man’s ways are in full view of the Lord.” There is not a thing in our lives that He does not notice. We must remember that Jesus not only sees all things, but He also peers into our hearts and knows our thoughts and intentions. All of this reminds us that we cannot hide our sins from God. But I think there was something more in that look than judgment. I believe that as Peter peered back into His Savior’s eyes, he saw the same compassion that Jesus had shown to so many during His ministry. Somehow Peter was both convicted and loved in the same look. And that look would provide him enough hope to live another day. He went out of the city weeping and waited for the Lord to bring healing to his broken heart. On Easter morning, Jesus rose from the dead with a message for Peter. Jesus told the women, “Go tell Peter.” Jesus faithfully brought forgiveness and hope to Peter’s shattered life.
He promises to do the same for you and me, today and every day!
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church