Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:54-23:12; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6
In today’s New Testament selection in Luke, Peter’s three time denial of his Lord is heartbreaking to read about, especially at the moment when as the rooster crows and Jesus turns towards him, makes eye contact and looks at him.
What was Jesus saying with this look that He gave Peter?
“I told you so, Peter?”
“Why, Peter?”
“Don’t you love me Peter?”
“Even you, Peter?”
Or
“I love you Peter.”
“Remember the words I spoke to you tonight, Peter –‘I have prayed that your faith may not fail.'”
“I will not forsake you nor hold this against you.”
Or maybe all of the above?
Peter wept bitterly and his soul was in anguish as he recalled Jesus’s look and of his own despicable lack of courage to confess he knew Jesus.
Haven’t we all turned our backs on our Lord at times, just like Peter? Haven’t we denied being His followers by our silence?
Jesus sees us for who we are, often fearful and fretful and He looks at us with eyes of compassion. He turns us back to Himself, forgives us, and gives us strength to be His witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Jesus, thank you for looking upon us in love even as you looked upon Peter. Thank you for turning us back to You when we wander away from You. Grant us courage to live and love as your followers that others may know You as their Savior and LORD. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
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