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.