Peter and the cock crows (John 13:36-38) 170407
From John 13:36 to 14:31 is a series of response from Jesus to His different disciples. There were Simon Peter, Thomas, Philip and Judas (not Iscariot). I find these series of questions and answers very interesting, so I will look into them one by one.
Peter wanted to go where Jesus was going (v36), and Jesus said that Peter cannot follow then but later (v36). Peter said that he will lay down his life for Jesus (v37), but Jesus said that Peter will deny Him three times when the cock crows (v38).
As I was reading this passage, I was wondering how Peter felt when he was sort of being rejected by Jesus again and again. I think he felt very lousy. I think he felt useless, even his Lord do not have trust in him. I wonder how will you feel if one day you say that you want to do something for the Lord and I come and tell you that you cannot do it now, but later and you will sort of deny Christ along the way?
I remember when I wanted to serve the Lord full-time after I graduated from University, I was rejected by the church. I was told to wait. I felt rejected. I felt like I am a second class Christian. I felt unwanted by the Lord. But I pressed on and waited. I think the feeling of being rejected in that sense does not sink in well with me.
How about you? Are there times that your enthusiasm for the Lord does not reciprocate well in reality? Did you ever propose something in church or small group and was being rejected? But why is that so? Have you ever question God?
But in reality, there is the cock that crows. This crow reminds my weaknesses and the need of God’s grace. Yes, I still have many ‘whys’ and was not answered, but I believe that God know what is the best for me. I am not being fatalistic and wait for God’s to do everything and I just simply laid back and relax. But I do see the years of my wait as a teacher do prepared me to be who and where I am now.
The cock still crows, I still remember my failures in Christ, but this keep me humble constantly leans on the grace of God. Peter in the book of Acts is a changed person. He knew his calling and his position in Christ. His understood and had experience the power of God’s grace. And I am sure that he loved to hear the cock crows, because this is a reminder of God’s work in his life. How about you? When was the last time the cock crows, and what does the cock crows remind you of?
