THE ROOSTER CROWS

John 13:31-38
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”

And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”

37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”

38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.


I don’t get to hear it too often any more. When I was growing up, we would visit my grandmother. She always had a yard full of chickens. At dawn we would be greeted with the crowing of the rooster. Despite the fact that I don’t hear the rooster crow, like clockwork, I can still count on the dawning of a new day. God is faithful that way.

Jesus knew when He selected Peter and the other disciples, that these were not perfect men. They each had shortcomings … they each would fall short … one would even be the betrayer. As a future reminder for Peter, Jesus foretold his denial and it happened just as predicted.

I wonder what failure Jesus knows about in my life that will occur before tomorrow dawns? Despite Peter’s denial, Jesus loved him. And despite my sin (which Jesus hates), Jesus still loves me. Does this give me a license to sin? God forbid! It should only give me motivation to be more faithful … to do better each day that dawns … better each time the rooster crows.