The Look

TITLE: The Look
DATE:  July 14, 2019
TEXT: Luke 22:61-62 – ESV = And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Are you acquainted with The Look?

I am. I first met that look when it came from my father. A blacksmith by trade, and a Christian in life, he tried his best to be faithful and fair. In respect, we children tried to do right - most of the time. On those times we messed up, we could judge the severity of our sin by his actions.

A loud voice was a minor infraction. When he called us by our full names (“KENNETH RICHARD KLAUS”) we were in deep trouble. But when he gave us The Look, we knew we had royally goofed up.

Getting a spanking was better than getting “The Look” Getting grounded was better than The Look Having privileges taken away was preferable over The Look. The Look said we had disappointed dad. The Look said that we hadn’t really gotten all the messages that he had been trying to teach us. “
​
The look” said we had hurt him so deeply that he had no words to express his sadness.

Retuning to Scripture, you should know the disciple Peter got “The Look,.”

Not from his father, but from His Savior. At that very moment, Jesus had a great many things on His mind and heart. Our Lord was in the final hours of His life. He was currently in the High Priest’s house awaiting the trumped up trials that would lead to His death on the cross. In a few moments he would be beaten, spit upon and before the day was over He would be dead.

Jesus should not have had to worry about a disciple who was denying Him out in the courtyard.

But, and it is a wonderful thing, Jesus was concerned about that single, weak disciple.

He was concerned about Peter, even as He is concerned about each of us. Jesus may have been carrying the world’s sins, but He was also thinking of Peter’s sins….and yours….and mine.

Because Jesus cared is why Peter got The Look. And it was The Look of the Savior which touched Peter’s soul. It was The Look of the Savior that sent Peter out in tears. It was The Look  of the Savior that set Peter on the road which led to repentance, apostlehood, martyrdom and salvation.

No, Jesus didn’t say anything to me. And I pray He never is so disappointed in me that He gives me The Look. I didn’t like The Look,  from my dad. I know I won’t like it from Jesus.

Which means, as Luther says, I will try to recognize my duty to “thank, praise, serve and obey Him.”

THE PRAYER Dear Lord Jesus, You have done so much for me, that it is right that my life should always serve and never disappoint You. Grant me the grace to do so with faithfulness. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html