The Perfect Example of Restoration
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| PETER AND THE ROOSTER |
Jesus and His disciples had finished celebrating the
Passover in the Upper Room and were singing a hymn as they headed to the Garden
of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Jesus told His disciples that what was
prophesied in Zechariah 13:7 would happen that night, saying to them, “All of
you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written
by the prophet Zechariah: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the
flock will be scattered.’”
Peter stubbornly declared that even if all the other
disciples stumbled in this area that he never would. All the other
disciples agreed with Peter. Jesus turned to Peter, “Simon, Simon! Indeed,
Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for
you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me,
strengthen your brethren.” Peter responded, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison
with You, and to die for You.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster
shall not crow this day before you will deny that you know Me three times.”
They reached the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus normally prayed.
He told His disciples to stay in a certain spot and pray that they may not
enter into temptation. He separated Himself a short distance from them to pray
because He was in agony over what was about to occur in His life. When Jesus
rose up from His prayer, and came to where the disciples were, He found them
asleep. Jesus said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me for one hour
Peter? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed
willing, but the flesh is weak.”
After they arrested Jesus, they took Him to Caiaphas the
high priest’s house for a hearing. The people lit a fire in the courtyard and
sat around the fire. Peter sat among them. Caiaphas’s servant girl that had
stood at the front door recognized Peter and said to the crowd, “This man was
also with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter denied it, “Woman, I don’t know Him.” A
little while later, someone who had been present at the arrest looked at Peter
and said, “You were also with Him.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re
talking about!” About an hour later, someone else said, “You must be one of
them. You’re a Galilean, like He is, and your accent proves it.” Peter began to
curse and swear, “May God strike me dead right now if I am lying. I don’t know
this Man of whom you speak!” Immediately, while Peter was still talking, the
rooster crowed. Jesus turned from facing Caiaphas and looked at Peter. He
suddenly remembered what Jesus told him, “Before the rooster crows, you will
deny Me three times.” Peter went out to a secluded location and had a bitter,
ugly cry. After that, Jesus was crucified and Peter never got a chance to speak
with the Lord anymore before He died.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning as
the sun was rising, Mary Magdalene and the other ladies came to Jesus’s tomb
with spices to anoint his body. Jesus was not there, but an angel greeted them
and told them Jesus was risen. He told the ladies to go tell the disciples — including Peter — to meet Jesus in Galilee as they had been instructed. The angel made
special mention of Peter to show that even after his denials, Jesus had not
disowned him. Peter had stumbled, but not fallen from grace.
Early one morning after Jesus had been resurrected from the
dead, He met the disciples on the beach and they had breakfast. Jesus had a
conversation with Peter:
- Jesus: "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
- Peter: "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
- Jesus: "Feed My lambs."
- Jesus (a second time): "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
- Peter (a second time): "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
- Jesus: "Tend My sheep."
- Jesus (a third time): "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
- Peter (grieved because He asked him a third time): "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
- Jesus: "Feed My sheep.
Peter had denied Jesus three times and was asked to re-affirm
his love for the Lord three times. When He had spoken this, Jesus said to
Peter, "Follow Me."
There’s a passage in Matthew 10th chapter where Christ says, whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father. But
this story proves one thing to me… and it is that love never fails. Now abides these
three things: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
I am reminded of the recent stumblings of two mega church pastors in the Dallas area. I pray Lord, forgive and purify the leaders of Your church, the shepherds of Your sheep. Help all of us to face the sin in our lives and confess our sins, receive your grace, be restored to Your full glory, and take up our cross and follow You. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Restore the joy of Your salvation, and uphold us by Your generous Spirit. In Jesus's name we humbly ask and pray. Amen.
To God be the glory.Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove
