The Gaze of Jesus: Responses to His Divine Presence

Jesus looked upon many individuals during His ministry with deep love and searching power, and the response of each person determined their eternal destinyARSH May 5, 1859, page 186.3+1. Those who accept His invitation and fix their eyes upon Him find hope, healing, and life, while those who reject His light or treat His messages as idle tales face the consequences of their own choice20MR 178.1+2.

Individual or Group	Nature of Jesus' Gaze or Presence	Response: Acceptance or Rejection	Outcome or Consequence
The Apostle Peter	A look of deep pity, sorrow, compassion, and forgiveness after his denial19MR 168.2+1.	Acceptance; he fled to Gethsemane in broken-hearted repentancePrT February 2, 1899, par. 8+1.	He was reclaimed, converted, and filled with holy boldness to honor the name he once denied1SG 81.1+1.
Jewish Teachers & Pharisees	He presented parables to search their feigned sanctity and expose their worldly interestsRH March 3, 1896, par. 6+1.	Rejection; they refused the invitation, perverted the Scriptures, and clung to traditions19MR 252.3+1.	Their spiritual eyesight was obscured, and they eventually filled the cup of their iniquity14MR 108.3+1.
The Apostle John	A glorious manifestation where His eyes were like a flame of fire and His countenance like the sunSL 77.1.	Acceptance; he was greatly comforted and filled with holy reverenceSL 77.1+1.	He received the revelation of Christ's power and the future of the churchSL 77.1+1.
Zacchaeus	The entrance of Christ into his heart and lifeDA 556.1.	Acceptance; he abandoned unrighteous practices and made restitutionDA 556.1.	He gave proof of his sincerity and experienced salvationDA 556.1.
Stephen	Stephen saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God in a state of exaltationARSH May 5, 1859, page 186.3.	Acceptance; he bore testimony to the truth even unto deathARSH May 5, 1859, page 186.3.	He died a holy man of God, full of the Holy GhostARSH May 5, 1859, page 186.3.
Rich Young Ruler/Rich Men	The Lord presents the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom because of the love of moneyRH November 26, 1857, par. 16+1.	Rejection (often); many choose earthly treasures over the heavenly invitationRH January 17, 1899, par. 12+1.	They forfeit an inheritance in the kingdom of God and lose eternal lifePH149 64.2+1.
The Impenitent City (Jerusalem)	Jesus wept over the city, as its peace was now hidden from their eyes21MR 166.5+1.	Rejection; they closed their hearts against the divine Messenger21MR 166.5+1.	Protection was withdrawn, and they reaped a harvest of destruction and woe4SP 36.2+1.

The eye of the Lord remains over all His works, recording every deed and testing every heart12MR 129.1+1. To those who look to Him in faith, He provides a robe of righteousness and an inheritance that will never pass awayRH November 26, 1857, par. 16+2.

...g of the cock was yet ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned His face from the frowning judges and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter's eyes were involuntarily fixed upon his Master. He read in that gentle countenance deep pity and sorrow; but there was no anger there. That face, pale with suffering, those quivering lips, seemed to speak to Peter. “Not know Me...— 19MR 168.2 (1990)

...ck. As Jesus thought of what they might have been if they had received Him, He wept, saying, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42— PTUK April 10, 1890, page 121.9

...n of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isaiah 53:3. He bears no marks of His humiliation. His eyes are like a flame of fire; His feet like fine brass, as it glows in a furnace. The tones of His voice are like the musical s...— SL 77.1 (1889)

...quo; In that gentle countenance Peter read deep pity and sorrow; but there was no anger there. That look of compassion and forgiveness pierced his heart like an arrow. He fled from the now crowded court, he cared not whither. At last he found himself i...— PrT February 2, 1899, par. 8 (1885)

... seemed to have reached the safety and peace of Heaven. At length my strength returned and I arose. The loving eyes of Jesus were still upon me, and his smile filled my soul with gladness. His presence filled me with a holy reverence and an in...— ST February 10, 1876, par. 20 (1874)

...n. God has chosen to place Jesus there; and requires all men to do him homage in that position; and tests their disposition of mind towards himself by their acknowledgement or rejection of Jesus on the throne of God— ARSH May 5, 1859, page 186.3 (1858)