What’s That Sound?

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and

to day, and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

With every sunrise, God is there. With the waking or every morning, He supplies us with a new dose of strength, blessing, breath, mercy, grace…and the list goes on and on. His promises remain faithful day after day and His character never wavers. Can I get an amen?!

While reading my Bible today, in Matthew 23 Jesus was preparing His disciples for the turmoil and grief they would soon witness in the coming days as His purpose on earth came to a climax. My heart ached as I read the sincere words of Peter, who desired to stand by Jesus to the end. I truly believe he meant every word he told Jesus; his heart was in the right place. He was confident enough to voice his stance, yet still, in and of his own doing he simply lacked the ability to do what he desired to.

I remember Paul’s admission, in Romans about not being able to do what he wanted to do, but rather ending up doing what he didn’t want to do. Why? Because he had to deal with flesh — just as every human being must. Our good intentions are just that, a place to begin.

Again, I can just hear the intensity of Peter’s voice as he boldly and loyally proclaimed that everyone else might desert the Lord, but he wouldn’t. Then, Jesus told him the ugly truth, that “before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Mic drop! I imagine Peter’s heart and enthusiasm might have dropped a notch or two also.

I know how much I desire to be true, loyal and committed in my life and my frustration when I fail, so I can only imagine Peter’s thoughts and the feelings following Jesus’ words. I can only imagine the confusion and questions he must have had as Jesus was tried and that fatal night progressed.

Finally, standing in the darkness of night warming himself by a strange fire, Peter was called out by those standing nearby and questioned about being with and knowing Jesus. The count was on! Three times he denied it…and then it happened. What was that sound?

The cock had crowed.

We all know the rest of the story. Jesus was crucified, died, and His body was placed in a tomb. I love that in Mark 16:7, the angel told the women visiting the tomb that Jesus was risen and to go tell his disciples, AND PETER, that he’d be in Galilee and they would see Jesus there. He’s alive!

But let’s go back to the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection. I wonder how Peter felt and must have grieved each time the rooster crowed following his denial? I’d think a rooster’s crow carried with it a new definition and a heavier weight than what it did at the beginning of that day. Surely it was now a sound which violently grabbed his attention and gripped his broken heart each and every time. The guilt. Regret. Questions. Talk about a constant reminder of his failure…

Later, when the women told Peter and the other disciples that Jesus was alive, the Bible tells us he RAN to the sepulcher and checked it out for himself “and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.” (Luke 24:12)

Fast forward a bit. We know it was also Peter who stood up on the day of Pentecost and preached with boldness and authority to the audience before him when they asked what they “must do.” (Acts 2:37) Talk about a transformation!

As I was reading, I just started to wonder if the rooster crow didn't begin to take on another dimension with better meaning. In time, did his hurting heart mend as he realized God still had purpose for him in spite of his failure and guilt?

Perhaps the old familiar sound of the rooster’s crow signaling “all that” suddenly began to take on new meaning and instead announced a new morning full of mercy and grace. Maybe it now reminded him of hope instead of hopelessness. Of promise. Perhaps it took him back to the Last Supper when Jesus had warned him of his coming demise, but then gave him a job to do after the fact when it was all over with and he came to himself and back to his senses.

So, in my creative mind, I just kind of wonder if maybe he began to welcome the call of that old rooster instead of dreading it. Maybe it began to be a reminder of all the things Jesus taught while they were together. Maybe it began to be identified by an improved definition. Was that sound that he had associated with failure now sounding the alarm for his purpose? Hear that?!

I know there are a lot of “perhaps” in this thought, but I pray I’ve given you something to contemplate as you face your day (or night). Is there something in your life which hangs over your head? Is there guilt condemning you and holding you back from your purpose? Have you failed and feel like you’ve let the Lord down? Remember, He’s prayed for you too!

We might not be associating with a rooster crow but whatever “it” is, can I encourage us to look at it differently? Like I often tell my Bible study ladies, “Perspective is everything.” Can you stop and look at your life from a different angle? Instead of seeing defeat and hopelessness, can you wake up in the morning with hope and assurance that you’re not alone, knowing that you haven’t stepped too far to be beyond the reach of God’s staff, and that His love, grace and mercy can still find you right where you are?

It’s easy to hear the negative, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Let Him turn that rooster’s crow signifying setback into an alarm reminding us of a beautiful comeback.

Won’t He do it!

Be blessed…