The Look

What’s in a look, a brief glance? Without spoken words, what can you “read” in the face of another? Jesus taught many powerful messages, but, here, as Peter, the future spokesman of the Church, completes his three-stanza denial and lying, our soon-to-be- murdered Messiah makes only eye contact with Peter. Consider the power seen here in Luke 22:56–62.

About this Message

Arrested and escorted out of the garden, away from his fleeing friends, Jesus is taken to the Jewish high priest’s home for the first of six trials. But two of his 12 apostles follow and are allowed entrance to the courtyard. Read John 18:12–16 carefully.

Look at these other “Peter-isms” and enjoy the clear before-and-after-Pentecost record:

  • Monument builder – “He didn’t know what he was saying.”  Luke 9:28-33
  • Gunwale jumper – “…But when he saw the wind…”  Matthew 14:25-33
  • “Get behind me, Satan.” Matthew 16:21-23

But also see the change:

  • Standing with courage in front of the Sanhedrin. Acts 4:1-20
  • Church spokesman at the growth of the Church. Acts 3

Go Deeper Questions

As Peter left the courtyard, where might he have been emotionally and spiritually?

Take a few minutes to look at these other conviction stories:

  • David and Nathan – 2 Samuel 12
  • Saul and Samuel – I Samuel 15
  • Cain – Genesis 3

What do you learn from the reactions to these confrontations?

When was the last time you tasted the bitterness of your sin, then, led by the Author of repentance, looked into the face of the Father? What did you see? Do you have anything to talk about with the Holy, but forgiving God?