Greetings in Jesus’ Most Holy Name!
A ‘Look’ can speak volumes without words being spoken. Our looks can convey more than what we wish to speak or communicate. It’s been said that our ‘eyes’ are the windows of our soul. And those who are filled with guilt cannot look into the eyes of the one whom they have betrayed. The ‘Look’ of Jesus at Peter in the above Bible verse is no mere glance. Jesus turned to look at Peter with piercing, discerning eyes. And what did Peter see in the eyes of Jesus that pierced his heart and soul? What did those eyes tell him? The next words in Luke 22:61-62 describe Peter’s actions. He “remembered” what Jesus had predicted about his denial. Hence, confronted with his betrayal and memory of Jesus’ words, Peter was a totally broken man as he went out and wept bitterly. His heart must have been broken into a thousand pieces with the knowledge of what he had done.
We can certainly imagine the turmoil Peter was going through emotionally; no doubt he felt shame and guilt on being confronted with his sin of betrayal and denial. We have all felt the same when confronted with our sins. Can we imagine what Jesus was going through as He looked into Peter's eyes, knowing that Peter had just denied Him, just like He had predicted? Which pain would be worse for Jesus to endure? - The pain of the scourging and crucifixion or the pain of betrayal of His friend?
For some of us, the eyes of Jesus that looked at Peter may seem condemning, without any hope or redemption. Yes, Peter had sinned; he did not measure up because he had betrayed a dear friend. For others, the eyes of Jesus may seem filled with disappointment. Yes, Peter had disappointed Jesus; he knew he should not have denied our Lord, but he did nevertheless and that too, three times! Peter also had expectations of himself as a follower of Jesus. Even if the other disciples ran away, he would not. He had even said that he would die with Jesus if necessary. To feel Jesus’ disappointment would mean that he was seeking Jesus’ approval.
Personally, I think Peter saw sadness; a compassionate and hopeful sadness in the eyes of Jesus. Jesus grieved for Peter as He looked at him with eyes of merciful love. His eyes expressed sympathy and caring. They were ‘redemptive’ eyes. Jesus was more interested in a deep relationship with Peter than excluding, punishing or condemning him. Jesus demonstrates the divine love of a parent who grieves over the failures of his child but still does not give up on him. Peter saw in Jesus’ eyes, the on-going compassionate and forgiving love of our Lord that would strengthen Peter through this entire experience & help him deepen his commitment as a true disciple!
Peter indeed cried bitterly and these tears were not tears of self-pity but tears of sorrow, brokenness and repentance over what he had done to Jesus. Remembrance indeed has a theological significance, because we see Jesus’ remembrance of Peter’s denial and repentance to let him know that despite Peter’s sins of denial and betrayal, He loved him and His plan for Peter would be fulfilled – John 21: 15-19. When God brings back a memory, He does so in order to heal and restore us and fulfill His divine plan for our lives!
As our Lord did with Peter, so He does with us, daily. We don't deserve it, but still He loves and forgives us. He knows how many times we have denied and let Him down; the times we have kept quiet when we should have spoken out; the times we have spoken out when we should have kept quiet and the times we have disgraced His name. And yet with grace, He stands with His arms open wide saying, “Come unto Me…My child.”
In our betrayals, our sins, our denials, what do we see in the eyes of Jesus as He looks at us? The cock may not crow to remind us, but each time we deny our Lord, let us remember that we are adding another stripe, another pain, another hurt to the One who truly deserves none! The sad and compassionate eyes of our Lord Jesus anticipated the joy of redemption for Peter, for me and for each of us. In my own personal traumatic experiences of the past, I too had turned away from our Lord, but like a true Shepherd who goes after that one lost lamb, He came looking for me, to draw me back into His arms. Sometimes, our Lord will allow us to stray only to make us come back to Him so strongly that for eternity there will be no turning back! That’s the power of His grace and merciful love for each one of us!
Prayer: Beloved Lord Jesus, through our tears of remembrance, like Peter may we too gain strength through the compassionate love and hope that we see in Your eyes. May Your love O Lord, draw us back to You, where we truly belong.
Blessings,
Monisha Rebello
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