The Lord turned and looked
Today's focusPeter denies Jesus three times; when the rooster crows, the Lord turns and looks at him, and Peter goes out and weeps bitterly.
Read
54Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Reflection
In this passage, we see the painful distance that grows between Peter and his Master. While Jesus is led into the high priest’s house, Peter follows "afar off" and tries to remain hidden among those sitting by the fire. Three times he is identified as a follower of Jesus, and three times he rejects the connection, eventually insisting, "Man, I know not what thou sayest." In your own life, you may recognize moments where fear or the desire to fit in has led you to distance yourself from the Lord.
The turning point occurs "immediately, while he yet spake." As the cock crows, "the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter." In that silent gaze, Peter is confronted with his own weakness and the truth of the Lord’s word. He does not hide his grief; instead, he goes out and weeps "bitterly." This moment reminds you that even when you fail, the Lord’s eyes are still upon you. His look is not to crush you, but to bring you to a place of honest remembrance and heart-felt repentance.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Have there been moments you denied Jesus by your words or silence? What do you imagine was in his look toward Peter?
Pray
Lord, like Peter, I have failed you. Thank you that your look is full of truth and love. Let my tears lead me back to you, and not away from you.