Another version of the Bible says, “Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness.” The Gospels often record that Jesus looked at people. When Peter denied Jesus, Luke 22:61 says, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” It was undoubtedly this look of unconditional love which broke his heart. When the rich young ruler claimed he had always kept the commandments, Jesus “looked at him and loved him” (Mark 10:21). Later He rebuked Simon the Pharisee at his house because Simon did not look at the sinful woman with eyes of compassion (see Luke 7:36-50).


John Newton, the converted slave trader wrote a hymn about sensing in his mind Jesus looking at him from the cross:
“Forever etched upon my mind
Is the look of him who died,
The lamb I crucified
And now my life will
Sing the praise
Of pure atoning grace
That looked on me
And gladly took my place.”


Jesus is always looking at us with a “never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love” (Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Story Book Bible).