The Look of Jesus: Mercy in Peter’s Failure

When I was a child, our large family Bible sat on the coffee table in our living room. It was filled with replicas of the old masters depicting famous Bible stories and the life of Christ. Even before I could read, I would spend time looking at each picture and thinking about the events they represented. One was always my favorite.

The story comes from Luke, chapter 22. It happened during the trial of Christ. Peter had been accused of being one of Jesus’ followers and for the third time he had vehemently denied knowing Him. Verse sixty reads like this:

“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”

I don’t think I ever read that verse without weeping.

Jesus, bound and on His way to the cross, was still caring for His flock. When Peter failed, Jesus knew. I don’t believe His look was filled with condemnation. You may disagree with me, and that’s okay, but I believe His look was filled with compassion and love. That love led to Peter’s repentance.

Jesus had warned Peter, but Peter being Peter, or perhaps Peter being human, failed anyway. Peter was still trying to depend on his own strength, his own determination, and despite his best intentions, he fell flat on his face when the test came.

I believe that the reason I have always related to this picture and the reason I love this story is because I see myself in Peter. So many times, I have been warned through scripture about certain attitudes or actions, but in the heat of the moment I have acted opposite of God’s leading. Like Peter, I have been in need of God’s mercy. So in need of His grace.

Earlier, Peter had argued with Jesus about His need to go to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23). When Jesus looked at Peter, His look tells Peter, “This is why I must go. This is why the cross has to happen. It is for you, Peter.”

It was for me.

It was for you.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (1 Peter 3:18, NKJV)