PASSION WEEK: The Look * Dutch Sheets * GiveHIM15 * 4/17/2025

[ronscarpa]

 

https://www.givehim15.com/post/april-17-2025

 

 

April 17, 2025

 

Introduction

 

Today’s post is taken from my book, The Pleasure of His Company. It is entitled: 

 

 

 

PASSION WEEK: The Look

 

 

Simon Peter is an interesting character. I love his realness. A down-to-earth fisherman grinding out a living in the small town of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, Peter was a tough, calloused, hard-nosed individual. This outspoken disciple sometimes wore his emotions on his sleeve - he once rebuked Jesus (Matthew 16:22) and later, at the Lord’s arrest, cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John 18:10). And, like many good fishermen, Peter was known to string out a few expletives, when the situation called for it (Matthew 26:74).

 

 

One of Peter’s all-too-human moments came at the Last Supper, the night before Christ’s crucifixion. When Jesus spoke of His arrest and the disciples’ scattering, Peter spoke up and bragged, “I’ll never run. I’m ready to go to prison and die for you” (Luke 22:33, paraphrased).

 

 

I’m sure Peter believed his level of commitment was this great. Christ, however, knew otherwise and gave Peter the now famous “before the cock crows, you’ll deny me three times” prophecy (v. 34). “Simon, Simon,” Jesus told Peter. “Behold, satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (vv. 31-32).

 

 

The Lord’s prediction concerning Peter came true later that night. Having followed Christ to His trial, Peter watched the proceedings from a distance. Then, he was accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples three times. By the time the third accusation came, things were in chaos - Christ was being slapped around, beaten, and spat upon, and a dangerous mob-like atmosphere was forming.

 

 

In a confused state of panic, Peter buckled under the pressure. “I don’t know Him!” He shouted for the third time, peppering his denial with fowl language. Scripture says, "He began to curse and swear" (Matthew 26:74). Obviously, it was more than one expletive.

 

 

The Look

 

I find what happened next very moving. Jesus was close enough to hear him, and upon doing so, “turned and looked at Peter” (Luke 22:61). We’re left to guess what kind of look He gave Peter, but it certainly wasn’t one of shock or surprise; after all, He predicted the denial. Another possibility would be an angry, condemning, I-can’t-believe-you-just-did-that look. Knowing Christ as I do, I don’t believe this was the look He gave Peter, either.

 

 

I’m reasonably confident the look Jesus gave this troubled, confused, and dedicated fisherman - who had left everything to follow Him - was one of deep compassion and reassurance: “Don’t worry, Peter, I understand. And I still believe in you. Remember, I saw this coming and prayed for you. Everything is going to be all right.” And I believe that with one glance, He saved Peter’s destiny.

 

 

Seeing Christ’s look, Peter was undone. One can only imagine the flood of emotion he was experiencing. In Gethsemane, he had just seen Christ literally bleed through the pores of His skin, a condition called hematidrosis. Then came the arrest and beatings - Christ’s swollen face and torn clothing would have been covered in blood and spittle. And now this. Overcome with emotion, Peter fled the trial and “wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).

 

 

The emotional roller coaster continued with the cross, three days of mourning, followed by the resurrection. As thrilled as the disciples were to see Jesus alive, however, things were still not the same. He kept vanishing and reappearing, only to leave again. He was gone most of the time. Finally, Peter had had enough. All of this was way above his pay grade. We are not told his exact train of thought, but I’m guessing it was something like this: I’m no Rabbi or theologian, and I’m not a prophet who can understand mysteries and see into the future. I don’t understand all of the theology, and certainly not the events of the last few days. Nothing has worked out the way I expected; I have no idea where Jesus even is. I’m going back to the only thing I really understand right now, my previous job. “I am going fishing,” he said to several of the other disciples (John 21:3).

 

 

Also confused and unable to connect the dots, they simply said, “We’re going with you.”

 

 

The Calling Revisited

 

The Lord was sympathetic to their plight. He had caused it, after all, and He loved them. Christ knew if they could just hang on until Pentecost, all would be well. So, He told Dad, Holy Spirit, and Gabriel that He was going to make another earthly appearance. “The guys could use another encouraging word, especially Peter. I’m going to go cook them breakfast, visit with them awhile, and help them pay some bills.” And that’s exactly what He did.

 

 

After the disciples had finished a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus was waiting on the beach. He already had a fire going and food cooking. “Come and have breakfast,” He invited them. It must have brought back great memories. We don’t know everything they talked about, but the pleasure of His company must have been wonderfully reassuring.

 

 

Eventually, knowing Peter was still grieving over denying Him three times, Jesus began addressing the situation. Three times, He asked Peter if he loved Him, and each time, Peter responded affirmatively. Some theologians believe Jesus asked the question three times in order to offset the three denials. That seems likely, but the first time He asked it, Christ added the question, “Do you love Me MORE THAN THESE” (v. 15, emphasis mine). Was He referring to the other disciples, or was He referencing the fish? I believe it was the fish which represented Peter’s former livelihood and career. The Lord was about to reaffirm Peter’s calling. This is why Jesus chose to meet them at the same location where their original calling had occurred, and why He worked the exact same miracle. And if those repeats weren’t enough, He then gave Peter the same command - twice - as He had on that first occasion. “Follow me!” He said to him (v. 19).

 

 

Christ was saying emphatically to this ashamed and uncertain fisherman: “Your calling hasn’t changed, Peter. I still believe in and need you. Your failure didn’t disqualify you, and the fact that I’m not around at the present time hasn’t changed the plan. Hang in there - everything will make sense in a few more days.”

 

 

And it did.

 

 

On the day of Pentecost, Peter was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Christ who used to walk beside him now lived IN him. Peter preached that day, and three thousand people were born again! A few days later, he healed a completely lame man known by the entire city of Jerusalem, and five thousand more people were saved! He had made it.

 

 

The crusty, foul-mouthed, impetuous, confused denier had survived his trauma and made it through the most confusing and consequential season in world history. He stepped into the new era of redeemed humankind with strength and purpose. You’ll make it, too. If and when you fail Him - and most of us will at some point - look for the look. It’ll be there. When you’re grieving, confused, and uncertain, Jesus wants to take you to breakfast, not expel you from the family.

 

 

Follow Him!

 

 

 

Pray with me:

 

Father, we are so grateful You look past our external deficiencies and at our hearts, seeing the gold that’s hidden there. You were fully aware of Peter’s weaknesses, yet You focused on the qualities Your love and compassion could see in him.

 

Thank You, Lord, for Your commitment to our development and success. You never give up on us! Even when we are filled with confusion, fear, and failure-induced shame, You lovingly whisper, “Look at Me.” And with one glance of Your eyes, comfort, confidence, and new strength arise within us. Identity, destiny, renewed purpose, and faith for the future are found in those fiery eyes that burn with passion for us. 

 

Today, we choose to stare back into Your intense gaze.

 

 

 

Our decree:

 

We declare that we will follow Jesus, and will always remember to “look for The Look.”

 

 

********************************

 

 

Today’s post was taken from my book, The Pleasure of His Company, published by Baker Books.

 

 

On tomorrow’s post, Good Friday, we will be taking Communion together.

 

 

Click on the link below to watch the full video.