Jesus’ Look
April 24, 2024
In You?
May 8, 2024
Immediately after Peter denies Jesus for the third time on the night of his arrest, Jesus looks at Peter. I have heard it said, “The way you think Jesus looked at Peter says a lot about the way you think Jesus looks at you.” (Unknown source)
How do you see that “look”? Is it a look of disdain, disappointment, anger, or frustration? Perhaps it is a condescending or condemning look – as in, “You are a failure, and a fake Christian, and God is really angry with you right now.”
But we can learn a lot if we actually study how Jesus looked at others in their moment of sin, or even outright rejection of him. In Mark’s gospel we see an interesting detail about the way Jesus looked at the Rich Young Ruler (RYR) just before he turns and walks away from Jesus.
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him.
“One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:20-22 Bold added)
“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Knowing this young man was spiritually blind and knowing he was about to reject him and walk away, Jesus still looked at him with love.
Now an interesting, and I am sure telling fact, is Mark’s gospel is a compilation of Peter’s teachings and sermons. Yes, Mark got his gospel from Peter. And are you ready for this? Mark’s gospel is the only one that includes Jesus’ loving look to the RYR. Matthew and Luke do not.
I believe Peter is personally telling us this is how Jesus looked at him in his moment of abject failure – with lavish love, not condemnation. And I believe Peter wants you to know this, too. I believe this in part because Mark’s gospel includes another precious detail the other gospels do not.
On the Sunday morning of Jesus’ resurrection, the angel at the tomb tells Mary Magdeline and the other ladies to go tell the disciples Jesus has risen, as do the other gospels. But Mark (Peter) adds this:
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.’” (Mark 16:6-7 Bold added)
Yes, tell them all, but be sure to tell Peter, specifically tell Peter.
And we know from Luke’s account that Jesus did indeed meet Peter alone early on that resurrection Sunday morning, before he met with the other disciples. (Luke 24:33-34)
How do you feel when you have sinned mightily, when you have really blown it, either in personal relationships or moral issues, or even with things hidden in your heart? Perhaps you hear a voice saying, “You better stay away from God right now. He is really angry with you. Let him cool off a bit—that is, if he ever does.”
When you hear that voice of condemnation, ignore it! It is not from your Heavenly Father, nor from Jesus. That is Satan seeking to discourage you.
No, hear the voice and picture the image of Jesus’ look of love to the RYR, and his sweet words to the young woman caught in adultery,
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
“Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11)
