THE JESUS LOOK

I Was Just Thinking About – THE JESUS LOOK.

Have you ever been subjected to “The Jesus Look”? If so, why? What crossed your mind when you noticed it and were subjected to it? How did you respond when it occurred?

There was a special moment mentioned during the sufferings of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion that could be applicable to many who claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The scene is the moment when Peter is speaking and voicing his third denial of having been one of the disciples of Jesus. The rooster begins to crow and then we read the brief phrase, in Luke 22:61, “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” Luke 22:61-62 shares with us the response of Peter: “Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

If we extrapolate, “The Jesus Look” doubtlessly occurred elsewhere. When Jesus awakened the sleeping disciples three times in the Garden of Gethsemane and the impending betrayal. The sleepy disciples must’ve been subjected to “The Jesus Look” when He returned the third time and said them in Matthew 26:45-46, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

In Matthew 26:49, and the betrayal kiss, “The Jesus Look” probably pierced deeply into the heart of Judas Iscariot. It more than likely haunted him. We see evidence of his remorse in Matthew 27:3-5, “When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. I have sinned by betraying innocent blood, he said. What is that to us? they replied. You bear the responsibility. So, Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”

After the betrayal, Matthews 26:56 records, “Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.” Did any of them, for a fleeting moment, turn around as they were fleeing, and see “The Jesus Look”?

While “The Jesus Look” was one of compassion, it doubtlessly indicated His disappointment with the human failure of His closest followers. This added to His broken heart over the bitter rejection of men He was enduring (Isaiah 53:3) and His sufferings as He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). It is too easy to overlook that He was bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4).

“The Jesus Look” – have you ever been subjected to it? What did it indicate to you? The Savior’s approval or disapproval? Was He pleased or displeased by your lifestyle choices? Did He find you obeying or disobeying Him? Did He find you standing with Him or fleeing from Him?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me!