“‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ Peter said, ‘Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’” (Luke 22:31-34, NLT)
“The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, ‘This man was one of Jesus’ followers!’ But Peter denied it. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘I don’t even know him!’
"After a while someone else looked at him and said, ‘You must be one of them!’ ‘No, man, I’m not!’ Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, ‘This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.’
"And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.” (Luke 22:55-62, NLT)
There is one word in these chunks of Scripture I want to dwell on today: turned.
When Jesus foretold Peter’s denial, He spoke this phrase, “So when you have repented and turned to me again ...” (Luke 22:32, NLT, emphasis mine). Later, after Peter had denied Jesus thrice and the rooster crowed, Luke narrates, “the Lord turned and looked at Peter ...” (Luke 22:61, NLT, emphasis mine).
For many years, this scene has been a picture of regret to me. I've always envisioned the rooster crowing in the distance as the last words fell off Peter’s lips. Jesus immediately turned to find Peter, and they locked eyes with each other. Peter was met with a piercing gaze, full of sadness and disappointment. It’s as if Jesus’ eyes demanded, ‘Peter, how could you?’ Then Peter, full of guilt and shame, ran off to weep in bitter regret for what he’d done.
But as I’ve revisited this passage, some questions have come to mind. Why did Jesus turn to look at Peter? What kind of look did He give him?
Was it a look of anger or dismay? Were there tears trickling down His cheeks? Did He stare at Peter to remind him of his sin? To look down on him in disgust?
Or was it ... to love him?
I believe it was the latter. When Jesus looked at Peter, it wasn’t to remind him that he messed up, but because He loved him. There was no condemnation in Jesus' eyes. There was no disappointment. Instead, mercy, kindness, and love were there, calling Peter to come back to Him.
Jesus knew Peter would deny him. He told him ahead of time, and then He watched it happen. When the rooster had crowed and the denials were done, He turned to Peter.
This is significant because of what He had spoken to Peter earlier. Before His arrest, Jesus prayed to God that Peter would turn back to Him after repenting from his denial. Peter then proceeded to do as Jesus had prophesied – he claimed he didn’t even know Jesus.
Peter’s actions were a turning away from Jesus, shying back from his Lord. Jesus hoped that after this devastating moment, Peter would one day turn back to Him. So He took the first step – He turned toward Peter and looked on him in love.
Peter’s regret was real (and merited), but Jesus’ redemption was already in motion. Wow.
After Jesus turned to look at Peter, Peter had a choice. With bitter tears drenching his face, with racking sobs shaking his body, he had to decide: Would he allow regret to consume him? Or would he rise above it, letting godly sorrow lead him to repentance? Would he turn again to his Jesus?
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul makes a distinction between godly sorrow and regret: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (NIV).
There are differences between regret and godly sorrow. Regret doesn't offer hope; godly sorrow does. Regret does not lead to repentance; godly sorrow does. Regret says, ‘You're stuck,’ while godly sorrow speaks, ‘You're better. You can move forward.’
When you wallow in regret, you are completely self-focused. ‘I shouldn't have done that.’ ‘I should have been better, kinder, more patient, etc.’ You're relying on yourself to be perfect. We have a very real example of what regret can do in Judas Iscariot, who was so overcome with despair that he took his own life.
Peter, however, chose to be reunited with his Lord. When he heard that Jesus had been resurrected (and others doubted), he ran into the empty tomb to see for himself. Later, while fishing, Peter caught sight of Jesus. Without hesitating, he jumped out of the boat and headed to the shore. There Jesus had a conversation with him, asking him three times if he loved Him.
In sweet redemption, Peter was able to affirm his love for his Savior, and Jesus then led him forward, instructing him to follow Him. (See Luke 24 and John 21 for these accounts.) We know from history that Peter followed God for the rest of his life, to his very death.
Jesus came so you could live free from regret. When you slip and fall, you're supposed to get back up again. The way you rise from a fall is by letting Jesus pull you up.
His strength is greater than your weakness. His love is deeper than your self-reliance. His mercy is stronger than your failures.
You don't have to be afraid of peering into Jesus' eyes. He loves you. You are free, flawless, and enough in His view. Your failures don't separate you from Him. Even the greatest of wrongs can be made right in Jesus' love. He longs for you to be close.
Don't get stuck in the mire of regret. Let go, move forward, and draw near to the One who has eyes full of love for you.
He is your Redeemer; He is your Restorer. He has set a beautiful plan into motion, a plan that will bring back what was lost and heal what was broken. Pull your gaze away from yourself and your past; turn your eyes to your King and the glorious future that awaits you.
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