I have been reading through a little pocket Bible which includes the New Testament (Gospels, Acts, epistles, Apocalypse) plus Proverbs and Psalms plugged in at the end. It was this project which took me to a closer reading of Matthew earlier, and I have been putting off finishing Luke because the crucifixion is a spiritually and emotionally difficult scripture to read. Today (the day I write this, a little before I publish this article), I got through it, and Luke 22:61 stuck out to me.
And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Particularly what struck me was the beginning: “And the Lord turning looked on Peter.” The scene is set where Christ is being judged before the crowd and Peter follows a ways off to watch the proceedings. In my mind, I imagined something like a small stadium or amphitheater where Christ is at the Center and Peter is in the back row, trying to be inconspicuous. And yet, when the crowd turns on Peter and he denies Christ, even from a distance away Christ knows where to look to catch Peter’s eye.
The reason this stuck out to me is because it can be hard to pick out individuals from a crowd. Yet–when you are the one on the field and your parents, your spouse, your children, your friends are the ones in the crowd, cheering you on, you know exactly how to pick them out. You’ll find them even if you don’t know beforehand where they are going to be–to you, the people you love are instantly recognizable, even from a distance, by their silhouette and body movements and clothes. This is true enough to become a trope in movies–little Johnny looking into the stands and drawing inspiration for the climactic final play from his dad who finally showed up to the big game.
Christ knows each and every person in the crowd, personally. He knows their names, the names of their family. He knows where they live, he knows what they do. Of course He does–He created them. But there are few He called His friends, and Peter was one of those gracious few. Christ could name everyone in the mob that accused Him, but Peter He could pick out from the crowd. And when the cock crew, Christ knew what Peter had done, and found him in the crowd, as one can only find ones loved ones, and made eye contact.
I am not so naive as to think I am incapable of the sin of Peter–but I do hope I am capable of the contrition of Peter. When Christ catches my eye in the crowd, will He see a loved one, who gives him strength–or a denier, who disappoints Him in His hour of need?
O Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
AMDG
Times-Dispatch of Vichy Earth 