Every Morning has a Rooster
The crowing of a rooster means a lot of different things to a lot of different people! That incessant high pitched “cock-a-doodle-do” is
Simon Peter knew that sound all too well! He had said to Jesus very emphatically just the night before that he could be trusted and that he was, in fact, his most loyal and trustworthy follower. Although Jesus wanted to believe him, he knew better! Jesus warned him saying, “before the rooster crows in the morning, you’ll deny any connection with me three times.” To Peter, this had to be unbelievably hurtful! To think that the one that he loved and trusted completely loved him but didn’t trust him any farther than he could throw him. As painful as that moment was, it could not compare to the agony he felt when that loud, obnoxious rooster reminded him the next morning.
I wonder how many times he pressed rewind on the event of the night before, hoping to find that it was all just some bad dream. Instead, every time he recounted his self-damning words, he heard and saw himself as a weak coward! Jesus had at one time called him a rock, but he felt more like a pile of sand or better yet, manure. Even with the best mental discipline applied to block out his mistake, there would always be a rooster to remind him of how stupid he’d been.
Every morning has a rooster! Condemnation is the aftermath of a soul’s stumble that keeps sin alive.
Peter’s story is our story. It’s real and very relatable. That’s what makes his story so personal. The story of Peter throughout the gospels involves risk, dare, faith, adventure and boldness and also, fumbling, denial, doubt, and disloyalty. His story, like ours, is the story of grace and renewal.
After realizing all the fallacies of Peter’s story and now our story, we see that the narrative is not about us; it’s about Jesus! That’s where the focus has to stay! Focus on redemption instead of a rooster! “There is no condemnation to them that belong to Jesus” (Romans 8:1)
No wonder Peter ran to the tomb when he heard the news of The Lord’s resurrection! He knew there would never be a better place to bury his guilt than a Jesus shaped empty tomb.
Only three days after the darkest day in history, the world seemed condemned. If you close your eyes and listen closely, you might just hear a rooster crowing. This time it’s different. It’s Sunday! A new day has dawned! Perhaps the same rooster that reminded Peter of his failure is reminding us of our future! You don’t have to kill the rooster. Redemption has changed what he’s saying!
You’re not condemned! You are chosen!