The Look

"But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly."
Luke 22:60-62

I have always paused when I come to this section of Scripture, trying to comprehend what that look must have said.  Can you imagine?!  It must have been full of love, pity, compassion, and yet disappointment.  After 3 years in His presence you would think He would expect something more from His disciples...but He didn't.  He remembered that they were but flesh and prayed for them.  He knew every sinful thought, every evil deed of the past and yet He loved them.  He understood His mission and knew it would have to be accomplished alone.

Just like Jesus loved the disciples with all their sins and weaknesses, so He loves us.  Now, please understand that I am not condoning a sinful lifestyle.  If we call ourselves Christians we should live like Christ.  He calls us to be "holy as He is holy"...that is the ultimate goal.  But what I am saying is that Jesus does not wait for us to be perfect before He saves us.  Jesus lived with sinners, called sinners to be His disciples, and died for sinners.  To this day He continues to use sinners to bring glory and honor to Himself - All Glory to God!

Jesus is right now looking at each one of us.  What does that look say?  Is it saying, "well done, good and faithful servant" or is it warning us that we've strayed off the straight and narrow?  Do Jesus' eyes light up when He sees me or are they dim with sadness because I have chosen something or someone over Him?

During this Resurrection weekend may we dwell on the face of Him who died for us.  May we learn from the look we find there.

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah