Roosters & Reminders

“I assure you tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!”

-Matthew 26:34

Reminders are an incredibly powerful thing. Sometimes it’s an object, sometimes a sound, sometimes a person, a gesture or a situation. Regardless of the trigger, those reminders can usher in a tidal wave of emotions, thoughts, and subsequent behaviors. Sometimes those reminders are so frequent and powerful - they dominate and destroy our lives.

Simon-Peter is one of the most well-known of Jesus’ disciples. Peter’s transparency and authenticity revealed in Scripture allow us to identify with him - even today.

After Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:16), he was immediately rebuked by Jesus (v23) for arrogantly attempting to disrupt Jesus’ road to the Cross - the very reason why Jesus came.

The night of their final meal together (Last Supper) Jesus predicted Judas’ betrayal. Soon after Jesus explained that all his followers would abandon Him, saying “Tonight all of you will run away because of Me...” (v31). Peter vehemently objected (v33) saying, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!”

Jesus responded to this arrogant boast by saying to Peter, “I assure you tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!”

Then, just before daybreak, it happened. Peter was questioned - not by a soldier or death-squad, but by a little girl. It was under that fairly innocuous inquiry by a child that the self-proclaimed tough guy, the one who said he would never run, never deny, and forever endure at Jesus’ side - regardless of the opposition - denied even knowing Jesus. Then again. Then again.

Scripture tells us that upon the third denial a rooster crowed, "cock-a-doodle-doo!"

Peter recalled Jesus’ prediction. Scripture tells us that at that very moment Peter “went outside and wept bitterly” (v75).

Now imagine the perpetual reminder. Every morning that followed Peter's denial he heard: “cock-a-doodle-doo!”

Imagine how terrible a reminder to wake each and every morning for the rest your life to such a POWERFUL reminder of Jesus words... “I assure you tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!”

Imagine trying to live with that overwhelming burden of shame. “I denied even knowing Him. Not once. Not twice. But three times!”

As is fitting with the eternally benevolent and gracious character and nature of God Almighty, Jesus didn’t leave it there.

Judas betrayed Jesus. Then he went off and hung himself. Peter denied Jesus. He might have been driven to the same fate - apart from God’s gracious intervention.

Peter denied Him, the Cross happened, the tomb was found empty, and Jesus was seen alive – risen from the grave! But Peter was left with a perpetually haunting *daily* reminder of his denial. It came every morning at daybreak... “cock-a-doodle-doo!”  And Peter was reminded, “I denied even knowing Him.”

Imagine reflecting back on three years of doing ministry alongside Jesus - God Incarnate - Immanuel! Imagine how weighty and unmanageable the guilt-burden Peter carried for his hubris and ignorance in arrogantly boasting: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”

So Peter did what any of us might do - he escaped. Peter said to his friends, “I’m going fishing.” (John 21:3).

Scripture doesn’t tell us about Peter’s motivation for going fishing - all night until dawn - but my suspicion is it might have been because there aren’t any roosters out on the water.

Daybreak came and Jesus called to Peter from the shoreline. The Bible tells us that Peter immediately plunged into the waters when he recognized Jesus’ voice. Jesus' voice had to have been the sweetest sound Peter’s ears had ever heard. The others fled like chickens, but they hadn’t boldly, and publicly, advertised their unwavering resolve to the bitter end - only to deny Him three times.

Jesus’ voice was Peter’s redemption song ushering in a sea of forgiveness and grace... and without hesitation or reservation - Peter dove in!

Jesus intervened. Jesus didn’t owe Peter. Jesus doesn’t owe any of us for that matter. But out of His gracious love - Jesus intervenes.

When we read John 21:15-17 we find that Peter’s former hubris and self-delusions of personal strength and fortitude are gone. Peter was undoubtedly shocked to discover the harsh reality of who he was as events unfolded the night following the Last Supper. Jesus held up the mirror of reality and Peter ultimately found himself to be a weak-minded, selfish, friend-betraying, and Christ-denying chicken.

That’s what a genuine relationship with Christ does – it causes us to come face to face with the ugliness of who we really are - independent of Jesus. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t leave it there. That's why He came. That's why He calls.

Following that fateful night, Peter had clearly done some serious soul-searching. Peter realize he wasn’t even a faint shadow of the hardcore manly-man he made himself out to be in the delusional recesses of his own mind.

Every dawning day that relenting shrill... that perpetual reminder came a new... “cock-a-doodle-doo!” The piercing, ceaseless, constant, endless, enduring and incessant reminder: “I denied even knowing Jesus.”

So Peter went fishing. Maybe it was to clear his head or maybe it was to fall back on something familiar and comforting. Whatever the reason - after spending the whole night out there - come daybreak Peter didn’t have so much as a single fish to show for it. Undoubtedly, Peter, the professional fisherman, was feeling utterly defeated. He might have even said to himself, “Man, I can’t even do this right!”

Maybe Peter was feeling lost and alone. Maybe the thing that always brought comfort and joy (fishing) was now a new source of frustration and defeat. But just then... Peter heard Jesus! Peter heard that sweet voice of redemption, and there was nothing in the universe that would deter him. There was no thought of political correctness. No pause of what the neighbors or his employer might think. All Peter knew was that he had to be with Jesus!

Maybe Peter recalled Jesus’ words, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Maybe he remembered watching the woman pour expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and washing them with her own hair and tears. Maybe. But what we know with all certainty is this: the arrogant and delusional Peter was gone - crucified with Christ and no longer alive.

Moments later when Jesus asked, “Do you love (agape) me?” Peter dared not respond in hubris or arrogance. All Peter could do was answer honestly, “You know that I admire (phileo) you.” Peter wasn’t boasting about his undying love or fidelity, but rather -as a man who had come face-to-face with the ugliness of himself- he simply told Jesus the truth. Peter, with empty hands and an open heart, told Jesus that all he was capable of on his own was mere pathetic admiration - and it absolutely wrecked him.

Before that fateful night, Peter really thought and truly believed he loved Jesus. As it turned out (as is the case with all of us), Peter realized when it was going to cost him something - he couldn’t even muster the courage and admit to even knowing Jesus.

Loving Jesus means the same for us as it did for Peter. It’s not about being hardcore, tough, or resolute in an emotional moment. It’s not about puffing out your chest or drawing a sword and jumping in front of God to protect or defend Him. Jesus, God, doesn’t need our protection or boasting. Jesus never asked us to defend or protect Him. He never will.

Jesus simply told Peter, “Feed my sheep.” That’s the reminder Jesus left for all of us. That's not some role reserved for priests, pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. That’s the universal mundane simplicity of what loving Jesus looks like. "Feed my sheep."

Independently, none of us are tough enough, none devout enough, and certainly none holy enough. That’s why Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Each day, just before daybreak, Jesus calls. Each day, just before daybreak, we all have a new opportunity to either be like the old Peter, the old self - in denial of our inability to do anything of any value apart from Christ –OR– to be like the new Peter, the new self - vividly aware of our own flaws, failures, and insufficiency after have come face to face with the ugliness of who we truly are as sinners before the light of the gospel of Truth shines.

Peter never again spoke the words “I love (agape) you” to Jesus. Instead, Peter allowed himself, and his life, to be spent walking with Jesus to faithfully and tangibly express it. "Feed my sheep."

Because of that encounter with Jesus - just before daybreak - I’m certain the sound of roosters never bothered Peter again.

So what is that constant reminder of failure in your life? What is the liar, the accuser, the adversary and enemy of God - what is Satan using to push you toward hanging yourself, like Judas, rather than listening for the sweet voice of Jesus?

Jesus is still singing that sweet redemption song to each and every one of us. Even you. Even now. Our sin is great. His love is greater. Jesus still intervenes in the lives of those who drop the act, dive into His grace and allow our lives to be poured out for Him and His eternal glory by feeding His sheep.

That's the reminder Jesus left you with.

Blessings!

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com