The Look of Love
Much happens in the chapters of Luke 19-24. I would argue that actually everything happens….the end and the beginning and all in between.
Today I want to focus on one small verse from Luke 22:61.
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Peter, beloved Peter was a man after God. He was impulsive and quick to speak and quick to make bold statements and yes, quick to love deeply. In this scripture reference, Jesus' arrest has just occurred and Peter was following the chief priests, the temple guard and Jesus as they hustled to the house of the high priest. Peter, three times is pointed out and accused and three times denies knowing Jesus. Oh, but then….the look of love.
We have all experienced a “look of love”. It may have been a time with your husband or wife, a time with your child or new baby, a time with a dying loved one or even watching the exchange of love between a bride and groom. We all KNOW it and it’s unmistakable. Because it’s priceless.
I can remember the first time I experienced my own look of love with Ray. We were in a tiny restaurant in Mississippi . The place had been rented out for our private group. There was food, drinks, laughter and oldies music….and there was dancing. Amongst the dozens of people attending the party that night we became separated while visiting with friends throughout the room. After a while, I remembered my date and began to look about the room and suddenly I saw him. Waaaaayyy across the room our eyes found each other and held there. It was the look of love. It was saying no matter how distracted you are tonight or how many people stand between us in this crowded place or if you forgot me for a moment, I am here. My love for you has not changed. I want to hold you tonight, I want to dance with you, I want to claim you as my own. You are the love of the my life.
Oh what shame and remorse Peter must have felt when he realized his denials as the cock crowed. You know the kind….where you just close your eyes for several moments and think why, oh why. And then, just as Peter’s eyes open, Jesus finds them. And according to verse 61, Jesus looked straight at Peter. The eyes of love…I believe Jesus was saying to Peter, 'no matter how distracted you are tonight or how many people stand between us in this crowded place or if you forgotten me for a moment, I am here. My love for you has not changed. I want to hold you tonight, I want to dance with you, I want to claim you as my own. You are the love of the my life'.
He is saying that to us today as we often forget him, deny him or just go our own way. His look of love is just for you today. His passion this week is for you. His eyes are looking with the look of love.
The look of love
Is in your eyes
A look your smile can't disguise
The look of love
It's saying so much more
Than words could every say
And what my heart has heard,
Well, it takes my breath away.
I can hardly wait to hold you,
Feel my arms around you.
How long I have waited,
Waited just to love you
Now that I have found you
"The Look of Love" is a popular song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1967. It somehow got into my head as I read this brief verse in Luke. The link to this tune is below. I encourage you to listen and think of your Saviour's look of love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1d65OHYXo
