A Rooster Crowed

Scripture: John 18:25-27  (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

25 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.” 26 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?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. (John 18:25-27 NLT)

John was acquainted with Annas, the high priest. Because of that connection, he was able to enter the courtyard and even get access for Peter. But John seems to have been permitted into the house where the “trial” was taking place and is able to capture the dialog and the interactions between Jesus and Annas.

While this was going on, Peter was left on his own in the courtyard warming himself at the fire with the household servants. The others knew Peter wasn’t part of the household and wasn’t a Temple guard or soldier or one of the mob that accompanied them to the Garden earlier and they asked him again if he was a Jesus-follower. Peter denied it, but was soon asked a third time by a man who had likely been present in the crowd in the Garden and who was a relative of the man Peter had injured. Now Peter was in actual danger and vehemently denied with a curse that he even knew Jesus!

The other three Gospels fill in some detail on what happened next. Apparently Jesus was visible from where Peter stood, and Luke tells us that just as the rooster crowed, the words Jesus spoke earlier flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” Just then Jesus turned and looked at Peter and the magnitude of Peter’s denial of his Master and friend broke him! He ran from the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Not disappointed! Jesus wasn’t disappointed at Peter’s fearful denial. Disappointment would mean that Jesus had expected something different from Peter. But Jesus knew exactly what Peter was going to do, and he forgave him for his weakness and loved him through it all. Did you know that Jesus is not surprised or disappointed in our weaknesses and failures? He knows each fault, each weakness, and knows in advance each misstep we will make, and he loves us through it all! What Wonderful Love! What Amazing Grace!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for your Wonderful Love! Jesus, thank you for your Amazing Grace!