When the Rooster Crows

In yesterday’s devotional, Peter boldly declared that he was willing to die for his faith in Jesus, yet he couldn’t stay awake to pray with Jesus in the garden and joined the others in fleeing when He was arrested.

While these actions reveal Peter’s goal of self-preservation, Jesus also prophesied that Peter would verbally disown Him three times.

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back and spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

It was cold, and the servants and the officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

-John 18:15-18 (NIV)

Then [Peter] began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:74-75 (NIV)

Peter was so close. He went farther than most of the other disciples by trailing after Jesus to see where the guards were taking Him. But while John (“the other disciple”) used his connections to be as near to Jesus as possible, and offered a way for Peter to join too, Peter chose comfort and security over speaking in faith.

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

-John 18:25-27 (NIV)

The number 3 symbolized completeness in those times. By Peter denying Jesus three times, he wasn’t just repeating himself to get his point across. He was solidifying his rejection of Jesus.

However, it’s no coincidence that Jesus’ resurrection took place in 3 days, showing that true completeness comes from Jesus alone. While we are dead in our sin when we reject God, Jesus has the power to transform our hearts and grant us new life in Him.

Reflection Questions:

• Think back to a time when you hid your faith in order to preserve your reputation, relationships, comfort, or even safety.
• What is something God might be calling you to do that’s outside your comfort zone?
• How might relying on courage from the Lord strengthen your faith or deepen your relationship with Him?
• How do you hope to see your faith grow this year?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the gift of your forgiveness, even when we have rejected you in the past–and may again in the future. We believe in you, but there are times when we struggle with doubt. Help us in our unbelief so that we can fully trust in You. We love you.

Amen.