The Rooster
In Christianity, the rooster symbolizes Christ who announces the coming of the light to the world.
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept. - Mark 14:66-72
Peter's denial of Jesus is not the same as the betrayal by Judas, but it does remind us that we are all capable of choosing our own survival over standing up for our faith.
If we truly believe in eternal life with Jesus, wouldn't we be more likely to die for him?
Jesus warned his friends that they will be persecuted because of him, so Peter had that on his mind when he stood by the fire, trying to figure out how he could help his teacher and friend.
Peter was the one who truly understood who Jesus was, and yet he still could not bring himself to admit that he knew him.
If Jesus could put his trust in someone who he knows will deny him, what does that say for us?
I believe Peter, chosen to lead the church, is the perfect example of a follower of Christ. He is fully human, with human flaws and faults. He struggles to let the world know what he believes, and yet is ashamed to hide it.
Believing that God exists in three distinct persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is tough.
Those of us who were born into the faith didn't have to work out the meaning of that. We just inherited our faith.
But those, like Peter, who came to it through revelation, those are the truly blessed among us. If they can be accepted even when they deny Christ, there is hope for all of us.
And each day, we have a reminder of Christ's presence in the world. When the cock crows, the light comes.
More to come...