Look Into His Eyes

"And Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, 'You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas' (which is translated, Peter - A rock)." ~ John 1:42

The year was 1972. I was seventeen years old. Tears ran in gullies down my cheeks as my eyes - those hazel eyes that no longer reflected pain and shame - gazed upon my Savior. I felt His Presence. I KNEW His Presence as His love pierced straight through me. In my spirit my eyes met those of Jesus.

This is what happened to Peter.

His brother Andrew brought him to meet Jesus. Peter stood before the Man from Galilee and the Scripture tells us that Jesus LOOKED at Him.

Looked: emblepo (em-blep'- o) to observe fixedly, absolutely, to discern clearly. (Strong's Concordance)

Can you picture it? Perhaps Jesus had built a small fire on the shore. As He sat there warming Himself, Simon walked hesitantly towards Him. Jesus looked up. His eyes met those of Simon straight on. Jesus' eyes rested on Simon, penetrating him...discerning the heart and knowing what manner of man Simon would be.

Jesus said, "You are Simon, son of John. But you will be called Peter - the rock." Jesus KNEW Peter. Jesus KNOWS you and me.

At our moment of salvation, when we knelt at the feet of Jesus, He looked upon us discerning the heart and knowing what manner of woman or man we would be. The transformation began as we inhaled that first Breath of God. Jesus no longer saw what we were. He beheld the new creation, the child called according to God's purposes.

Dear one, you are free. The chains of your past no longer have a hold on you. The stains of sin have been washed away. The failures, the abuse, the rejections no longer define who you are. Jesus has looked upon you and set a new life in motion.

Won't you meet His gaze today? That chill you feel running up your spine is your spirit responding to the searing love of the Lord your God. Walk in the fullness thereof.



Father, Turn our eyes upon You. Blot out the distractions so that we can see only You. In Your Presence is fullness of joy. In Your Presence all fear must flee, all pain must subside. In Your Presence we are made whole. We love You, Lord. Open our eyes to see You clearly.