A Rooster on Good Friday

This morning as our rooster crowed, I was reminded of Peter and his denial of Jesus. It was a heartbreaking failure in the life of a man who had committed himself to go with Jesus "both to prison and to death." Yet, when fear and pressure entered the picture, the colors of Peter's passion went from red to yellow.  His courage failed and cowardice triumphed. 

I'm so much like him. 

And, I'm thankful that the rooster's crow is not the end of the story...As Jesus caught his eye, Peter was reminded of the words He had spoken to him just a few short hours before this life-changing moment:

Luke 22:31-32 says, "And The Lord said, '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." 

Jesus prayed for Peter. John 17 shows us Jesus prays for us.  Not only does He pray, but just as He did in Peter's life, He also encourages us. He forgives. He restores.  As the events of the crucifixion progressed, Peter witnessed how deep and how wide the love of Christ will reach to grasp the heart of a sinner and to bring him to Himself. 

Jesus promised Peter would return; but it would not happen until after the cross.  The cross would make the difference.  Tragedy melting into triumph. Faith finding strength in forgiveness.  A shattered coward rebuilt to become a champion. For Peter, the cross changed everything.  For us, it still does. The cross...the cross, the place where broken hearts and broken lives are all made completely new...all because of Jesus.  

So today, if you hear a rooster crowing, with your ears or in your heart, don't crumble in your failures, come to the cross instead.  Lay your failure down and let Jesus restore your faith.  And when He does, look around and strengthen a sister who needs to know that Jesus loves her and His forgiveness is complete.  Let this Good Friday be Restoration Day for you. 

Amen and amen.