As I grew up I was blessed with grandparents and parents who loved the Lord.  They were dedicated to teaching me “in the way to live so I would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6) with discipline and examples that were appropriate.  Sometimes it was loudly appropriate but needed to keep this inquisitive, curious child from getting hurt or hurting someone else.  I didn’t require loads of reprimanding as I was a child because I wanted to please those I loved dearly.  If fact, I was that weirdly complacent child who after doing wrong and would punish myself before my parents could intervene!  Doing wrong things brought immediate guilt that I didn’t want to live with for very long.

I remember a tool of discipline that was developed and perfected.  It was “The Look” that brought me to my knees most times.  You know “the look” if you went to elementary school.  The best teachers I knew could discipline a room full of chatty kids with “the look” without saying a word.  As I became a teacher, as well as parent, I developed “the look” and used this tool often.  (Maybe, still do!)

But as I think more deeply about “the look,” I realize that “the look” affects only those who have developed a loving relationship with each other. Each one in the relationship knows, really knows, each other well.  They know what is expected, what each other are thinking, how they will react in certain circumstances, because of this knowing. 

I loved my Grandpa Lacquement dearly.  I loved how he took care of Grandma and related to his family and friends by serving them well.  He showed me all the things he loved to do on his farm full of animals while I tagged along behind him. Grandpa made his work seem like play as he sang while milking a cow or feeding a sow.  As a child, I believed this man, who was also a gifted carpenter, could do anything.  So, that day I decided to mock Grandma (what was I thinking?!), all Grandpa had to do was turn to me and give me “the Look”, without saying a word!  I felt the pain of guilt in the pit of my stomach and immediately gave Grandma a hug, telling her, “I’m sorry.”  We never spoke of it again.  The Look took care of my behavior.  All was well.  Love never left the building of my soul or my relationship with Grandpa and Grandma.

Jesus told Peter what he would do before he did it.  Jesus knew Peter from the inside out and outside in.  Jesus saw his heart of passion, his boldness in protecting those he loved along with the often, inappropriate behavior of acting without first thinking it through. Peter knew enough about Jesus to love Him like a brother.  Peter left everything to follow Jesus.  Peter hung on every word Jesus said.  Peter declared Jesus, Son of God.  Peter also deemed himself the protector of Jesus. 

But in the heat of the moment, around a campfire; Peter forgets.  Peter denies.  Peter gets “The Look” of Jesus.

Luke 22, The Message

A Rooster Crowed

^54-56 Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!”

⁵⁷ He denied it, “Woman, I don’t even know him.”

⁵⁸ A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You’re one of them.”

But Peter denied it: “Man, I am not.”

⁵⁹ About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.”

^60-62 Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

THE LOOK

When the rooster crowed immediately after Peter’s third denial, Peter begins to recall what Jesus had predicted. But it is “The Look” that brought him to his knees.  “Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter.” 

What was going through Peter’s mind?  Peter, the impetuous, loved Jesus so much he could not stay away from him.  On impulse, Peter didn’t flee the area as did the other disciples, but found a way into the courtyard.  He didn’t sell Jesus out as Judas had done, but was caught up in lying to protect himself while staying close to the “action”.  Was his denying of knowing Jesus a ploy of manipulation?  Did Peter think he could save the Savior?  Was he thinking of a way to rescue the One who would rescue him?  So much is happening at once.  Yes, Jesus told them what would happen but Peter just could not accept it or allow this torture to happen to his Master.  He must do something, but what?

Just then, while all these thoughts and questions swirl madly in Peter’s mind, his beloved Master Teacher, bound by His accusers, turns his head and looks at Peter.  The Look broke Peter’s heart.  Peter’s tears flow as he remembers all the words Jesus had said.  The Look of Jesus probably reminded Peter of the love Jesus had for him.  The Look may have reminded Peter of all the plans Jesus had for him but now Peter thinks all is lost.

But we know that what seems like the end is only the beginning of what Jesus will do for all who believe and follow Him.  Jesus is not finished with Peter yet.  Jesus knows Peter’s heart and sees his potential.  Jesus sees our hearts and is not finished with us either!

Turn to look at Jesus!  He is looking for us!

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace…”  This childhood chorus reminds me this morning that “the look” of Jesus is something to be desired.  We need Jesus every hour of every day. Jesus is our Savior and Lord of our lives.  Jesus’ sacrifice, willingly taking the punishment for our sins, is God’s Plan to bring us into a rock solid, intimately loving relationship with God forever.  When we believe in Jesus, we are rescued, forgiven, restored, and renewed with new life!  Hallelujah, oh, what a Savior!

Believe, repent, follow, and tell others. 

Thank you, dear Jesus. 

Help us to look up and live expectantly for you!

In Jesus Name, Amen!