Rooster

“Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.”
John 18:25-27 NLT

There are moments in our lives when the enormity of something we have done, or the consequences of a bad decision are suddenly before us. Something perhaps we promised to do or not to do. And all of a sudden we end up having a rooster moment. We experience a feeling in the pit of our stomachs as we find ourselves facing into a situation that we cannot avoid. I remember entering a packed train carriage one commuting morning and ended up standing in a section of the carriage close to a woman who seemed to be having a difficult conversation with a boyfriend or partner on her mobile phone. The carriage was unusually quiet as my fellow travellers became caught up in the emotions of the conversation, one side of it only, of course. But the rooster moment for the person on the other end of the phone was her statement, “You told me I could trust you”. Soon after, she pressed a button on her phone and stored it away, but the silence in the carriage continued, the woman herself staring sightlessly out of the window at the passing countryside.

Peter we know had promised never to deny Jesus. We read in Matthew 26:33-35, “Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same“. But John 18 records Peter’s three denials, “The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed” (John 18:17, 25, 27). And Matthew 26:75 records Peter’s response, “Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly“.

Thankfully, the rooster moment for Peter was not terminal and we will read what happened later. But for us too, those occasions in our lives when we screw up and hear a metaphorical rooster crow, are not terminal, as we come into God’s presence, confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness. Paul wrote, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2). Fellow pilgrim, you may have messed up. I may have messed up. But we love Jesus and have the assurance that He is never going to bar the door into Heaven for a repentant sinner, no matter how loud the rooster crows.

Dear Father God. Thank You that You pick us up when we fall, dust us off, and put us again on the right path to Glory. We are so grateful. Amen.

“Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
John 13:36-38 NLT

Events on that fateful evening were starting to accelerate. So much had already happened, with the shared meal, the bread and wine, Jesus humbly washing His disciples’ feet, Judas leaving to look for an opportunity to betray Him, and Jesus giving His disciples a new commandment – to love one another. Within a few hours Jesus would be tried in an illegal court, whipped, and then crucified. In less than a day He would be dead and buried. God’s plan for salvation was almost complete. The devil just did not know what was coming.

Peter was his usual impetuous self, and had committed himself to die for Jesus, but then came the ominous reality – Jesus could see what was coming and He knew that Peter wouldn’t stand by Him when the time came. But what was the significance of the crow of a rooster? There in the middle of Jerusalem the sound would pierce the air, as the dawn started to appear. In our 21st Century world, knowledge of the time of day is everywhere, with almost everyone having a wrist watch or some other access to a clock. Time zones have been in place for many years and scientists have measured the unit of time to an infinitesimal part of a second. But in Peter’s day, knowledge of the time was uncommon and natural events had to be relied on. No wind up mechanical clocks – they didn’t appear until 1300 years later. So the ubiquitous rooster served Jesus well.

We don’t know what Peter’s response was, to being told that he would soon deny his relationship with Jesus, not once but three times. He would have been devastated, but events were moving so quickly that he didn’t have too much time to process what he had been told.

We pilgrims also have to beware of denying our relationship with Jesus. There will be occasions when it is easier to go with the flow and follow the crowd. Perhaps in the workplace, or at a social event. Sometimes we will be needled and tormented by a family member or neighbour. But at such times we must stand strong and lift Jesus high. We must proclaim His place in our lives and ignore the consequences. Jesus made an ominous warning, when He said, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). But we pilgrims are overcomers and realise that by publicly declaring our faith in Jesus, may lead to another seeker after salvation finding their Lord. There may be a personal cost to our declarations of faith but we know that God has our backs and has reserved a place for us when we need it.

Dear Lord Jesus. We speak Your name over the lives of our friends and families, knowing that by so doing we release Your Spirit in power. We praise and thank You today. Amen,

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The Rooster Crowed

Before the Rooster Crows