TEXT:
‘And the Lord turned and looked’ (Luke 22:61).
This is the third and final part in the teaching “Jesus Looked”. Sometimes words aren’t necessary, as one look can convey what’s needed to be said, or get things done. In Part 1, we studied “Jesus looked” – in anger at the scribes and Pharisees’ hardened hearts, as a reminder to Peter when he denied Him, and His look of love at the rich young ruler. In Part 2, “Jesus looked” – in the temple, at those who were giving, and to see the one who had faith. Three more “Looks” to finish with.
1. Jesus looked up to heaven – ‘I will lift up my eyes to the hills — from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth’ (Psalm 121:1-2).
Jesus said, ‘I only do the things I see the Father doing’ (John 5:19). Perhaps that is a key for us. If through the eyes of faith, we can see the Father doing it, then we will have more confidence to use the name of Jesus to bring it to pass.
- When He wanted to heal – ‘Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”’ (Mark 7:34).
Jesus looked, sighed and spoke, and the Deaf-Mute was healed. He acted in a very similar way when He raised Lazarus from the dead. When we look at the sick and suffering, do we only see the problem or the possibility of healing? Do we make ready our excuse for when nothing happens or does the Gift of Faith fill our hearts that we will have what we say?
- When He wanted to feed the multitudes – ‘And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all’ (Mark 6:41)
This is one of the miracles Jesus did that I really want to see the video of when I get to heaven! How did He do it? When did the bread and the fish begin to multiply? The key is, ‘Jesus Himself knew what He would do’ (John 6:6). When the disciples didn’t, He did! How often do we want to send the problem away, but by looking up to heaven, we may find faith filling our hearts resulting in a miracle.
When we look, do we see the glass half-full or half-empty? Note the difference between possibility and impossibility – “I – M”. Those two letters could read as, I’m or I am. Am I the hindrance or the help? When the disciples couldn’t cast out the demon from the epileptic boy, they really wanted Jesus to say that the demon was too big for them to handle. Instead, He said, ‘Because of your unbelief’ (See Matthew 17:14-21). Then Jesus went on to describe how powerful mustard-seed-sized faith is. It’s time to look up to heaven and keep looking until something from heaven fills our hearts!
2. Jesus looked to see the one who wanted to see Him
- Zacchaeus – ‘And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”’ (Luke 19:5).
When Jesus looked at Zacchaeus, He saw an utterly despised person who could be saved. That’s why He went to his house. The hymn says, “The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus, a pardon receives”. (To God be the glory). We don’t know exactly what happened for Zacchaeus to end his love affair with money, give half away to the poor as well as making restitution to those he had cheated. What we do know is that Jesus pronounced him saved and a son of Abraham!
- Simon Peter
Peter had two names, like Jacob, who was later called Israel. Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. When Jesus looked at Simon He said, ‘You are Simon… you shall be called Cephas’ (John 1:42). Simon means shifting, Cephas means a rock.
What wonderful changes can take place when someone gets saved. Jesus called John, ‘A son of Thunder’ (Mark 3:17), who wanted to call fire down from heaven. Yet he was the one who leaned upon Jesus and wrote more about love than any other disciple. Saul of Tarsus had a vision of Jesus, changed sides and word went round about him, ‘The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!’ (Galatians 1:23 NLT).
Jesus is still looking today, because He came to seek and to save that which was lost. ‘Draw near to God and He will draw near to you’ (James 4:8). As far as God is concerned, our past is never a problem because He is in the life-changing business!
3. Jesus looked at His new family – ‘Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”’ (Mark 3:33-35 MSG).
Jesus’ mother and brothers came looking for Him. When Jesus knew about it, He looked at those sitting around Him and declared they were part of His new family. Natural family ties and relationships can only last a lifetime, but our spiritual ties are for all eternity.
When family members turn against us for being Christians (as Jesus said they would – See Mark 13:12), it’s wonderful that our Christian family rally around us. ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me’ (Psalm 27:10). Who hasn‘t benefitted from their Christian family at some time or other?
We are brothers and sisters in Christ. If the Bible didn’t say this, no one would be so bold to suggest such a thing. Christ is the Head of the body every Christian is part of. Jesus elevated His disciples from servants to friends (See John 15:14-15).
It’s time to look at each other the way Jesus does. If we did, all those misunderstandings and grievances would quickly disappear, and love would be manifested instead. Remember, God hasn’t finished with you yet, nor has He finished with others either!
The Bible says, ‘Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other’ (Isaiah 45:22). Whatever you are looking at today, make sure that includes looking to Jesus!
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