I Need A Rooster In My Life

Recently, a member of my church gave a mini-message on Peter’s denial of Christ, where Jesus said, “before the cock crows you will deny me three times,” in Matthew 26:34. This conversation was also recorded in Mark and Luke, so it is an important story in scripture.

The point the speaker made was this: From that day forward every time Peter heard a rooster he could be reminded of his denial. I need a rooster in my life. How about you? As Christians, I think we would all agree that we deny Christ in many ways. We may not say, “I never knew him,” as Peter did, but we often do it in a conversation, activities, things we look at, or even our thoughts. I have been like a “spiritual prodigal son” more times than I want to remember, as I have wandered away from God to think or act apart from Him.

Is there something that will happen on a regular basis to remind us of our unfaithfulness to God? I live in the country and used to hear my neighbor’s rooster every morning. Not so, if one doesn’t live next to a farm, or lives in the city. While God is not one to remember our past, it is for our good to be reminded of our unfaithfulness, weaknesses, doubts, worries, and fears. If things come into our lives for such a purpose, let’s not get irritated, but rather thank God for them. We all know what God did for Peter. He became the foundation of the New Testament Church. Next time you hear a rooster crow, thank God for it.

We need a modern day “rooster.” I was sitting in church recently having communion. The thought came to mind that this is it. In First Corinthians 11:28, which is in the context of the Lord’s supper, it says that each person should examine himself to see if there is anything in their heart that is not right with God or with other people. Each time we participate in the eating of the bread and drinking of the cup, we can ask the question, “Is there any way I have denied Christ?”

We know that God will always take us back into his loving arms, as portrayed in the parable of the prodigal son. His grace will always accept you, no matter what you have done or where you have wandered. He may not make you a pillar of the Church, but he still has a wonderful plan for your life.

How are some ways you have denied Christ? Are there any things that have happened to remind you of your unfaithfulness to Him?