'Peter replied, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.
And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times."
And he went out and wept bitterly.'
~ Luke 22:60-62
It's funny how only Luke tells us that Jesus turned and looked at Peter when he had thrice denied Him and the rooster crowed.
But that is not what I want to discuss here.
The word Luke uses to describe Jesus' 'looking at' Peter in verse 61, exactly the same as that which John used to depict the very first time Jesus 'looked at' Peter. That is what I find interesting.
ενεβλεψεν (em-blep'-o)
It means "to look on, ie. (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly -- behold, gaze up, look upon, (could) see" (http://scripturetext.com/luke/22-61.htm).
Simply put, it means to see with your mind; to comprehend; to understand.
What expression do you think Jesus wore on His face as He gazed with understanding at Peter?
Did He wear a sad look? Or perhaps a compassionate one, with tenderness and love? Maybe it was a chiding look?
Whatever it really was, I do not think it could have been one of condemnation. After all, Jesus was going to be condemned for, amongst all, Peter, and it simply was not Jesus' way.
I do think, though, it was a look of great significance.
And whatever expression of emotion it bore, it broke Peter.
Personally, I believe it was a quiet look of love. Quiet love and sure forgiveness.
I think it is this look expressing the emotion and decision on the Savior's part that cut through the darkness of the evening, blazed a path through the noisiness of the courtyard with its crackling fire and gossiping servants, and branded itself onto the heart and mind of Simon Peter.
I think it is this that spoke multitudes in its silence with such firmness and assurance that shook Petrus right to his soul.
For denying Him three times, three times before the night was even up, all Jesus had in response to Peter's actions was that silent piercing, comprehending look.
Not a sharp word of chiding, not a teardrop of sadness, not a haughty I-told-you-so smirk.
Just one powerful look that strips us of our masks and coverings and leaves us naked under His gaze, letting Him see us for who we are.
One look brimming with understanding and choking with love was all it took to shake Peter's entire being and set him on the course of ministry for the rest of his days on Earth.
I think this is what we can expect from Jesus. Sad, loving, forgiving, yet firm Jesus.
What does it mean to say you love Jesus? To sin and to struggle and to feel so tired. To perpetually come crawling to God on your knees literally to beg for forgiveness, and shocked that it is so easily and freely granted. Are you tired of struggling? What does it mean to say you love Jesus?
Have you seen the Lord's look of forgiveness and love?
If you see it, will it be enough to break you?
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