By Judy Villanueva

Simon, Simon behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; And once you have turn again, strengthen your brothers.”

“Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!”

“…the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me.”

And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Face to face with who we ARE and AREN’T . Peter had boldly declared his allegiance to Jesus even unto death and within hours denies knowing Him!  I wonder what he was thinking after the first two denials?  Was he unaware or so shaken that Jesus had been arrested that spoke before he thought?  Then, the third denial — and the rooster crows — and then the moment when Jesus turns and looks at Peter!  Some pretty gruesome things awaited Him and yet, He turns away from his own pain and looks directly at Peter.  So zealous for Christ that he had climbed out of the boat!  So passionate that he declared his undying loyalty to Jesus!  Startled by the rooster’s crow, Peter awakens to the echo of his denials and is horrified to remember Jesus’ earlier warning.  Don’t you wonder what Peter saw as he looked back at Jesus over the crowd, through the denials?   What did he see in the eyes of his Savior?

I can only imagine that he saw the love of his dearest friend!  Did he see eyes that conveyed sadness, a heavy heart that suffers when we fall?  Did he perceive Christ’s love that would remain true in the face of personal failure?

In that moment, did Peter understand a commitment so deep and strong that he was literally upheld and held together by a look?

Jesus knew. He knew Peter and He knew Peter would fail, but when the moment came there were no “I told you so’s” just a movement and a look that both corrected and affirmed Peter.  Peter wept bitterly as regret and shame surrounded him, but Jesus had a plan.

Beyond our transgressions, God always has a plan!

And me? I am Peter. Every time I do not stand with Jesus in my thoughts, words or actions, I deny Him. I say I’ll love him unto death but when life gets hard and fear presses in, I react as though He is not faithful or worse, does not exist. That is the biggest denial—-to live as though Jesus is NOT.  Nevertheless, He remains faithful.  He remembers we are dust, foresees that we’ll stumble and prays for us.  He looks at us and His eyes tell us we are held!  He is and He is faithful!  And, I am and always will be His child, loved and forgiven.

“Lord, may I look at my brothers and sisters the way You look at me. Not with judgment or impatience, but with love. Your love that forgives, understands and gives strength. Thank You for seeing around all the corners of my life and for praying that my faith will stay strong. Thank You for planning beyond my failures and making a way through shame to Your heart of love. Amen.”

What about you?

Do you ever falter in your faith?

Can you see Jesus turn and look at you? Can you receive the love in His eyes?

What does this passage stir in you? What do you need from Jesus?

God has planned magnificently beyond any transgression. He loves you and wants you to see His eyes of love.

Worship