Can We Talk About the Rooster?

Can we talk about the rooster?

I was reading in Luke where Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed, he would deny Him three times. Peter was certain he never would. Then he did. Shortly after... the rooster crowed.

I was pondering this, and a realization hit me:

God placed that rooster there... or in His infinite foreknowledge, knew exactly when it would crow. Either way, it was a divine appointment meant to reach Peter's heart.

An ordinary rooster... becoming God's alarm clock, calling Peter back to the words Jesus had already spoken.

"I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers... I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me." (Luke 22:32, 34)

In essence, Jesus was telling him...

You will fail, but you will return. And when you have turned back again, use what you learned to strengthen others.

In that moment of recollection, Peter understood the prophetic words of His Messiah as a reminder of coming hope....restoration.

Then Peter wept.

God uses the ordinary for the extraordinary...

A burning bush for Moses

A voice in the night for Samuel

A donkey for Balaam

A still, small voice for Elijah

A rooster at dawn for Peter

Pay attention today.

God speaks.

Sometimes grace sounds like a rooster.

Sometimes His voice looks like a burning bush.

Are you listening for the "rooster" in your life?