Let’s consider two main characters/stories and a description of their expressions.
“…Satan…once was, a happy, exalted angel….[But now he is quite changed.] He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen. But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil. That brow which was once so noble, I particularly noticed. His forehead commenced from his eyes to recede. I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased, and every evil trait was developed. His eyes were cunning, sly, and showed great penetration. His frame was large, but the flesh hung loosely about his hands and face. As I beheld him, his chin was resting upon his left hand. He appeared to be in deep thought. A smile was upon his countenance, which made me tremble, it was so full of evil and satanic slyness. This smile is the one he wears just before he makes sure of his victim, and as he fastens the victim in his snare, this smile grows horrible.” (E. G. White, Early Writings, p. 152) What’s in a look? Go with me to another story. Luke 22:55, 60-62. “While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter’s lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was still ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned from the frowning judges, and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter’s eyes were drawn to his Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there. “The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart like an arrow.” (E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 712-713) “…Beneath that grieved look, in which compassion and love for him were blended, Peter understood himself. He went out and wept bitterly. That look of Christ’s broke his heart. Peter had come to the turning point, and bitterly did he repent [of] his sin….The look of Christ assured him of pardon.” (E. G. Whtie, Christ's Object Lessons, p. 152) “If the look that Jesus cast upon him had spoken condemnation instead of pity; if in foretelling the sin He had failed of speaking hope [even in His expression], how dense would have been the darkness that encompassed Peter! how reckless the despair of that tortured soul! In that hour of anguish and self-abhorrence, what could have held him back from the path trodden by Judas?” (E. G. White, Education, p. 89) “The look of Christ conveyed volumes to the repentant Peter. He read in that glance sorrow, love, and pardon.” (E. G. White, 3 Spirit of Prophecy, p. 110) What’s in a look? I would present to you that it is, life or death. May we look and live so that our expressions this week will give life, hope, love to others.
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SolominaEverything in life has meaning. There's a lesson in every object, every situation, every process. I want to go deeper, in a higher way. I want to listen, to understand, to know. Archives
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