The Look of Love

When you’ve just lied three times, you don’t want your teachers, mentors or friends to find you out.

Jesus has just told Peter that he (Peter) will be tested the way a farmer separates wheat from husks, with focused intensity and power that shreds living material apart, but that he has prayed for Peter’s faith. In the courtyard of the high priest’s house, Peter declares (v 33) that he’s ready to go with Jesus to jail. He’s even ready to die. Jesus responds to Peter’s fervency with a painful truth: Peter will deny Christ three times.

And he does. The test has begun.

Following Jesus into the high priest’s house from a distance, Peter disowns the physical and emotional geography of his relationship with Jesus . . . as quickly and fervently as he’d vowed to follow Jesus to jail or to death. No, he doesn’t even know that man (he can’t even say the name Jesus now); he’s not one of them (Jesus’ followers), and he doesn’t know what they’re talking about (were he and Jesus from Galilee?).

A rooster crows. Jesus turns and looks straight at Peter. Peter understands.

Jesus’ look bridges the distance of Peter’s disavowal of Christ. That look offers Peter a holy, terrible weight of understanding . . . for Jesus himself has already drunk from the cup of self-denial when he prayed to the Father: "Not my will but yours be done." That look reminds Peter of Jesus’ heart: “But Simon, I have prayed that your faith will be strong. And when you have come back to me, help the others” (v 32).

Jesus’ look of love. It’s the most penetrating look you’ll ever receive, for it comes at a price.

Respond in Prayer

Lover of our souls, your look of love makes us feel the weight of our daily denials. It shows up our lack of understanding of the big Story you’ve written. Help us to listen to your words about the height and breadth and depth of your grace and concern for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Renee James