Reflecting on Luke 22:54-62“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” (Luke 22:61)
In the moment when I am tempted, all I see is what I’m tempted with.
Like Eve, the fruit looks so good, and I imagine all the benefits.
If whispers of warning arise, they are buried beneath the burning desire.
Satan keeps you too preoccupied to seek the help of Jesus.
In that moment, the Lord is there looking straight at us.
We are too distracted, too wrapped up in ourselves to notice.
But like Peter, the moment also comes after we have given in.
Satan stops his enticing, and begins his taunting.
And then we see Jesus, still looking at us, with sad love in His eyes.
And waves of shame, bitterness and disappointment arise.
Adam and Eve ran away to hide from God in their moment of shame.
Peter goes outside and weeps bitterly… but does not look away from Jesus.
The next time he sees Jesus looking to Him, he runs to Him (John 21).
If we can look past our own shame and sorrow, we can still see Him.
Even in times of great failure, Jesus still looks to you with deep love in His eyes.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I have seen this look many times. You know my weakness, You even expect it. Help me to look to You before I sin; but when I do sin, help me to look to You then, to see Your look of mercy and grace.
The following hymn came to my mind when reading today’s devotion:
1 In doubt and temptation I rest, Lord, in thee;
my hand is in thy hand, thou carest for me;
my soul with thy counsel through life thou wilt guide,
and afterward make me in glory abide.
Refrain:
My God, I will extol thee
and ever bless thy name;
each day will I give thanks to thee
and all thy praise proclaim.
2 In glory thou only my portion shalt be,
on earth for none other I long but for thee;
my flesh and heart falter, but God is my stay,
the strength of my spirit, my portion for aye. [Refrain]
3 All they that forsake thee must perish and die,
but near to my Savior most blessed am I;
I make thee my refuge, my Lord and my God;
thy grace and thy glory I publish abroad. [Refrain]