Psalm102│ Jeremiah 11.18-20 │Revelation 14.18-15.4│Luke 22.54-71
Psaumes 102|Jérémie 11.18-20|Apocalypse 14.18-15.4 |Luc 22.54-71
Let the rooster crow!
Don't
you love the disciple Peter??! He is courageous, spontaneous, full of faith,
quick to speak and act.... Together with his brother Andreas, Simon Peter is
one of the first disciples called by Jesus. While fishing, he immediately
leaves his nets to follow Jesus. He realises who Jesus is and calls him the
Messiah. Jesus says he is the rock on which He shall build his church. With
Jesus in sight, he walks on water. A model disciple?!
After
Jesus is arrested, he decides not to leave his master alone. He follows him
even into the courtyard of Caiaphas, where he witnesses his master being beaten
and insulted. Three times he is recognised as one of Jesus' disciples, but he
vehemently ignores that he knows the man. What about his pledge of complete
loyalty to Jesus a few hours ago? After all, Peter proves to be very human.
Weakness and fear send him into a panic. He loses all composure and screams in
frustration denying his Lord.
And
then the rooster crows.
Rooster crowing
A
wake up call. Snapping Peter back into reality. Making Peter realise he wasn't
nearly as bold and courageous as he had proclaimed. A most painful moment.
For both, Peter and Jesus. Luke then tells us that Jesus looked Peter in the
eyes. Can you believe that? Think about it. Whilst being falsely accused and
beaten for Peter (and our) sake, Jesus is still looking out for his friend
Peter who has just denied him three times. His heart must still be
bleeding..... This is Peter's Lord. And yours and mine! Mind blowing!! Heart-breaking.
Peter breaks down indeed and weeps uncontrollably.
And
we - when we look Jesus into the eyes?
We
know that Peter's repentance is followed by complete forgiveness and full
restoration. He receives a fresh start and lots of strength and power from
above. Jesus' love and forgiveness know no boundaries.
We
probably don't hear a rooster's crow on a regular basis. But we do recognise
ourselves in Peter, don't we? How often are we not completely driven away by
our thoughts, emotions or actions? Don't we also all too often make mistakes,
especially in our weak moments, hurting our Lord? We too need to hear a regular
'crow' inviting us to pause for a bit and turn inwards, to make us aware of our
thoughts and emotions at the time and to ask ourselves whether we can look
Jesus into the eyes at that very moment. Repentance will not only be followed
by physical, mental and spiritual healing, it will also bring joy to our loving
Lord!
Why
not come up with a sound, a sight or a feeling which would serve as a rooster's
crow in your life?! Don't break down under the weight of your own cares and
frets. When you hear, see or feel your 'rooster' stop for a moment, turn
inwards, breathe deeply, let calm return, accept your weaknesses, look onto
Jesus, repent, and like Peter, be refreshed by the strengthening and curative
powers of our Lord who loves us not despite our flaws but with all our
flaws.
O let me hear Thee
speaking
In accents clear and
still
Above the storms of
passion
The murmurs of self-will.
Janine
Vrolijk
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