Luke 22:54-71
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. (v. 61a) This verse has always struck me. Recall from yesterday that Mark had Peter moving from the courtyard to the forecourt (porch), closer to where Jesus was inside. Now being closer, there’s a turn of events that Peter had not anticipated. He is now close enough to Jesus that Jesus can look over and see him. And see him, He did, after the rooster crowed. Jesus looked at him and guilt overwhelmed Peter. How he must have felt, to know that he had wronged Jesus by denying Him and for Jesus to know that and turn to look at him at that very moment. Peter was crushed! The weight of his denial was enormous. Peter …went out and wept bitterly. (v. 62) The guilt was instantaneous, but the regret must have been even more pronounced – he now had to live with that memory, that regret until Jesus’ resurrection three days later. It’s easy to see now why Peter would RUN to the tomb after the report that Jesus was alive! He needed to be washed clean with Jesus’ loving touch. Sin, guilt, repentance, forgiveness. What a lesson we can learn from Peter!
See also: November 20 / Luke 22:54-71