The Look of Jesus

At last week’s Bethlehem College and Seminary board meeting, board member Sam Storms spoke about The Look. When Peter denied Jesus, how did Jesus look at him?

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter (Luke 22:61). What did Peter see when he looked at Jesus? Into what kind of eyes did he gaze? On what kind of face did he look?

There are all sorts of “looks.” Our eyes alone can communicate virtually every human emotion:

• There’s the intimidating stare of two boxers in the middle of the ring.
• The “looks that kill”—the looks that pass between two people after one has abandoned and betrayed the other.
• The “I-told-you-so” look—that unmistakable facial contortion reminding one of past failures and broken promises.
• The look of anger.
• The look of resentment—one of those “after-all-I’ve-done-for-you-this-is-what-I-get-in-return” looks.
• The look of disappointment.

What did Peter see in those bruised and bloodied eyes? There were no words uttered, but the eyes of Jesus spoke loudly and clearly: I still love you as much now as I ever did before. It’s OK. It was more than Peter could believe. After what he’d done, knowing what he deserved, the eyes of Jesus said, “There’s still hope.”

Read the entire sermon or hear the podcast.