A Good Glimpse

We've all been on the receiving-end of a look that says it all, tells it all and conveys what words cannot. Do you remember when Peter repeatedly denied all association with Jesus? Luke writes, "Immediately, while he [Peter] was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, 'Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly." (Luke 22: 60-62). Oh, that look! Then some days later, on the shore, Jesus asked Peter repeatedly, "Do you love Me?" (John 21:17). Oh, that question! While Jesus' look surely cut to the quick, His questions probed depths open to none other. We can fool a lot of people; why, we can even fool ourselves. There is no deceiving God, however, Who sees us as we really are. "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10). The Puritan prayed, "Lord, it is a good day to me when Thou givest me a glimpse of myself."  Jesus' look and His words gave Peter a good glimpse of himself, and it seems that's all it took; as far as we know, Peter never again denied Christ: he went to his death in complete devotion to His Savior. That good glimpse of who we are is just what we need to draw even nearer to The Lord. Thank you, Lord, for ... a good glimpse.