Bible on the Road – The Gaze of God

“Tell him not to fear anything; My gaze is on him day and night.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 90

Ever wonder what made those twelve men follow an itinerate teacher? Was it the message or the miracles? Maybe the message struck a heart chord for some? But, to drop everything and follow this man they just met..not so sure.

But, what about Peter? He had just spent a wasted night fishing. He pulls into shore, tired and dejected. He’s trying to finish up the last chores so he can go home to his wife and get some sleep. Then, Jesus jumps on his boat and starts preaching. I’m not sure how much Peter was truly listening to that message. Remember, he’s tired and grumpy after a failed night.

Then, Jesus fills Simon’s nets. Big bling miracle for a fisherman. But, enough to leave his wife and business? I don’t know that I could. So, what made these men and women drop their lives and follow Jesus? What made thousands of saints through the past two thousand years change everything and follow Jesus?

I’ve often pondered this. Then, one night while working on “I Knew His Voice”, it clicked. I was meditating on the the second visit of Christ to my daughter. Unlike the first, this time she saw Jesus. When she found a picture resembling Him, I asked, “is that Jesus?” She looked at it for a moment, and replied, “yes, except for His eyes. His eyes are indescribable.” Sitting there that evening, writing my book, it clicked to me THAT is why they followed Him without hesitation. His gaze.

“Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:10-11

When you look into the eyes of Jesus, you look into the eyes of God. You see all creation and time reflected from deep within. In His eyes, you see the Father’s gaze.

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.” John 4:9-11

Do you know that our Lord gazes upon you, night and day, with perfect love and affection. His intimacy is much deeper than the physical world. His intimacy is one that looks into our soul and loves us. His gaze of love, if we let it, will cast out all fear in life. His gaze, if we let it, will change our life – our eternity.