Welcome to today’s devotion.
Substance that produces action
- Luke 22:61
Jesus called Peter to Galilee. From that time Peter walked with Jesus. Peter saw thousands of hungry crowds being fed from a small amount of bread and fish. Peter saw his mother-in-law healed, lepers healed, demon-possessed people delivered, and the dead raised to life. Peter talked a lot with Jesus, yet Peter had not yet known him, except for his famous revelation and announcement in Matthew 16:16-17. It wasn’t until Luke 22:61 that Peter saw the amazing love that Jesus had for him. Peter had never denied Jesus Christ before. They talked a lot together. Peter had the opportunity to witness and receive the words and actions of Jesus, among the disciples and among the crowds.
After Peter denied Christ 3 times, we have the record of Jesus looking at Peter. When Jesus looked at Peter we did not see the angry rebuke that would have made Peter useless. Nor do we see the performance of the body; Who demands that Peter do or give something for reconciliation, retribution, or reformation. We see a personal Christ.
The life of Christ goes far beyond action into substance. That substance produces action. Jesus came to pray, to show his love, and not be loved. He looked at Peter with all his heart, and communicated this message, “You are grieving my love.” Jesus did not speak a word of rebuke, but his eyes only looked, and Peter wept bitterly!
Today’s reading passage: Titus 1-3, Philemon