Each of the Bible's books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John record Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and interrogation by the authorities. The four books tell how Jesus' closest disciples desert him and how Peter the Apostle denies any knowledge of a relationship between Jesus and himself. Of the four accounts I find Luke's most compelling, especially at the point of Peter's third disavowal of Jesus. Only the Gospel of Luke puts it this way:
...another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. (Blogger's emphasis underlined.) Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:59b-62)
I can imagine that Jesus' looking at Peter in the moment of Peter's denial is an "I told you so" look. But I can imagine Jesus' look another way, too. I can imagine it as a look of compassion, an "I knew you would do this; but it's okay" look. I suppose that Jesus' look can be imagined in other ways, too.
I believe the Spirit of Christ Jesus is looking straight at me, if only I raise my eyes to meet his gaze. Who or what will startle me into that recognition--the rooster's crowing, a net too full of fish, or summer's harvest, ready to be reaped?
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