But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowded. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)

And the Lord turned and looked at him. The Lord. Jesus. The Man who said, “Peter, you are going to reject Me, deny Me, turn your back on Me.”

When Peter did what he swore he wouldn’t do, Jesus turned and looked right at him. Probably made eye contact with him. Looked right down into his very soul. Saw his heart and all his filth.

He turned…

…and looked…

… and he gave His life anyway.

In the very next passage the physical suffering leading up to the cross begins. Jesus didn’t have to take it. He could have walked away.

No, one would have blamed Him. He was dying for people that hated and rejected Him. He was dying for sinners that did not deserve His grace.

He was the Lamb being led away to the slaughter, but He wasn’t a sheepish man.

He was strong and confident. Yet willing and submisive. Not because He had too, but because He loved.

Jesus loved Peter. He turned and looked, not to say I told you so, but to say,

“and I still love you.”

This post was written while reading Quietly Through the Bible. Are you interested in simply reading quietly through the God’s word? Considering joining our small community of Bible readers. Or just downloading the two-year reading plan and jump right in.

Have you written a post in response to a Bible passage you read this week? Please share a link in the comments. I’d love to read it.

Only by grace,

Kelli