Peter Has a Moment with Jesus

Brothers and sisters who are loved by God,

Last night in my small group we focused on Peter's denial of Jesus.  Thinking about the moment that Jesus looks at Peter as the rooster crows is almost too much to bear (Luke 22:61).  In the past, when this passage came up in discussion, I worked under the assumption that Jesus' look was saying, "You see, Peter? I told you you would deny me."  Last night would forever change my view of this verse.

I'm a visual person so as we talked, I could see the scene unfolding in my mind. I became one of the unyielding, sweating, pressing, yelling masses and I ached for Peter.  The fear must have been nothing he'd ever experienced, even as he'd watched the Pharisees condemn his friend, mentor and Lord throughout the ministry.  In past conversations about this verse, I had a tendency to keep my eyes on Peter because I feared seeing Jesus' face in those moments of Peter's denial.  I have been Peter...and I have worried that Jesus could turn His gaze on me.

As I watched this scene, in the safety of my small group family, I looked at the face of Jesus and for the first time, it wasn't condemnation or accusations I saw.  It was encouragement. It was love.  We assume the former because in our flesh that's what we would do. In the midst of betrayal, it would feel impossible for most of us to look at someone with compassion. But Jesus could. As I looked at this face, a Man who knew He was getting closer to torture and death, with no friends at His side...I saw Him look at Peter with love.  Jesus, as God in  flesh, knew not only of His own impending anguish but the glory of His return in just a few days. In that moment, when I saw Him catch Peter's eye, He knew that Peter did not have His Divine Insight.  In that look it wasn't pain for Himself he felt but pain for Peter. 

Peter knew that he had disassociated himself from The One who had given him back his life, The One who provided hope in his darkest days, The One who offered joy even when happiness was lacking. So did Jesus, and He felt compassion for Peter.  This new look was not one of accusation but encouragement: "Take heart, Peter. This is all part of my Father's plan.  I love you still." And, Peter, feeling the love of Jesus even in the midst of his denial, wept bitterly.

The Father's plan was unfolding as it needed to: 
- Peter had to deny his association to stay alive.  He would be the rock that Jesus would build his church. (Matthew 16:18)
- Peter experienced the crushing depths of despair and lived the glory of forgiveness. It was in that contrast that he made it all COUNT.  It would propel him through the days to come and would lend him the strength he had not previously shown.
-Jesus gave His life so we could have life eternal, at His side.

Judas wasted his life.  With regret, he hung himself and ended his story.  His legacy will forever be his betrayal. In contrast, Peter USED his regret to live a life fully realized.  His legacy is one of redemption.

Brothers and sisters, I pray that you are not in a living death, stuck in a moment where pain or regret prevail. I pray that there is a shift in which you make it all COUNT, as Peter did.  Turn that pain into a testimony upon your lips and a ministry for others.  Take heart in the loyalty, mercy and grace of Jesus. He loves you still.