John 18:27 - Again, Peter denied it. Just then a rooster crowed.
It tells us earlier in Scripture the story of Peter, and Jesus' prophecy to him that he would deny him 3 times during the night before the rooster crowed signifying daybreak. Every time Jesus tells him this news, he says, "No, how can this be, I love you, I wouldn't deny that I know you." But Jesus confirms to him that, yes, in fact he will deny him.
I can only imagine when Peter heard that rooster crow, just after finishing denying his relationship with Jesus, knowing full well that he does in fact know and love this man, his heart probably sank into his stomach. He probably got that all over sick feeling that you get when you know you just made one of the biggest mistakes of your life! He instantly regretted it. Probably even wished he could have gone back and said differently, stating that he did, in fact know Jesus, and was one of his friends. But his pride got in the way.
How will you react? What will you do when someone asks you if you are a Christian? Will your response be to deny knowing the Savior because we feel embarrassed of what others might think of us? Will we tell them of our decision to follow Christ or even if we are thinking about following Christ? What if someone asks you why you go to church? Will our initial response be to deny it, just to fit in? Hopefully, our pride will be overcome, and we can use these opportunities to learn from Peter's mistake and share the love of Christ. It's not easy! I have to say, when people ask me why I moved to California, it's often times difficult, knowing that they may make fun of me for our decision, to say we moved here to start a church. But those are the times when we set our own selfish pride away and let God work in those situations. Allow God to show Himself!
Dear Jesus, please give us every opportunity to proclaim our lives to you. Help our pride step out of the way, in order that your work will be accomplished through us. Amen.
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