LUKE 22:54-62 – “Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “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.”

THEME OF THE DAY: THE LOOK.   Did you grow up with a parent who didn’t have to say a word of correction to you?  All that was needed was “the look”.  Maybe you were or are that parent who all you need to do is give your children “the look”?  And “the look” is not just in parenting.  It is alive and well in marriages and other human relationships when the parties know each other.

When we give or receive “the look” it is very effective, and it doesn’t have to be negative.  It may also come to us or from us with deep affection; “the look” of love, sympathy, and compassion.

In today’s scripture, Peter got “the look” from the Lord Jesus. Have we ever pondered what that was like?  As we do, add this to the pondering list.  Some scholars believe that Jesus was within hearing distance of Peter as he denied the Lord. Maybe so as the Lord turned to look at Peter.  If so, He heard His chief disciple publicly deny him three times.  Even if Jesus did not hear the words, He knew they were said, and Peter got the look of all looks and that from Jesus.

What was the message Jesus gave Peter by “the look”?  Here is what it wasn’t – a look of “I told you so”; a look of disgust over Peter’s failure, a look of anger over Peter’s impulsive and compromised commitment to Him, or a look of giving up on Peter because he feared people more than the Lord.   No, when the Lord looked at Peter it was a look of pity, love, mercy, grace, compassion, patience, and with an awareness of his restoration very soon.

Take heart, child of God. In our failing times, Jesus gives us the same look.  Never condemning, always affirming and edifying with an eye to grant us both repentance and restoration.  Rejoice in such a loving Lord!

PRAYER:  Lord, I praise You for not giving me what I deserve but treating me always with grace and mercy.

REFLECTION: In times of failing the Lord, He takes our failing times and makes them teaching times.