The “look”

Right after Peter had denied the Lord for the third time, Luke describes what happened:

Luke 22:61 (NIV)
61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

Peter must have thought that while he was denying the Lord left and right Jesus had no idea what was happening.  He was wrong.  Right after he denies Jesus three times the Lord turns and looks straight at Peter.

Man, that must have been the most painful moment of Peter’s life!  At that moment he realized that he had hurt the Lord whom he claimed he loved and would follow up to death!  And he realizes this after Jesus looks straight at him.

Have you noticed that while we are committing sin we totally forget that our God is watching us?  Then, a few moments, seconds even, we feel the eyes of the Lord upon us, giving us that “look”.  And our hearts weep, realizing we have sinned against our God.

David had a similar feeling.

Psalms 39:13 (NIV)
13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more."

David had sinned, and he felt God staring at him, bringing conviction upon his heart.  That’s why he asked God to look away from him.

But the “look” that God gives is not a look of condemnation, but a look of grace.  When Jesus looked straight at Peter it actually moved Peter to reflect on what he had done:

Luke 22:61-62 (NIV)
61 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."

62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter remembered what the Lord had told him a few moments back.  Jesus actually warned Peter through His word, but Peter did not heed that warning.

It’s a look of grace.  A look that makes us realize the wrong we had done.  A look that reminds us who we have sinned against – our Lord Himself.  It’s a look that causes us to weep.

But it is also a look that brings us back.  Peter ran and wept bitterly, but he did not run away from the Lord.  He stayed with the other disciples, and when Jesus had risen from the dead, He reinstated Peter and commanded him to feed His sheep (John 21).

Christians treasure that “look”.  Yes, it’s a look that causes us to weep, to realize the sin we have committed against our Lord.  But it is also a look that beckons us to return.

Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."