"Cockadoodle do," crowed the rooster and then the "tough" fisherman began to cry. In Matthew 26:74-75 we read, "Then he [Peter] began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, 'I don't know the man!' Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly." This scene is repeated in Mark 14:71-72, Luke 22:60-62, and John 18:27.

All four gospels recount the events surrounding the Apostle Peter's three-time denial of Christ. Yet, are we like Peter? I believe there is a little bit of Peter in each and every one of us. Yes, the "Peter factor" is alive and active in our lives. How often do we find ourselves, like Peter, in situations realizing the rooster has crowed? With our lips we confess our love and devotion to Christ, yet our actions tell another story. The inconsistencies between our walk and our talk are clearly evident.

Jesus told Peter he would deny Him, yet Peter thought and spoke differently. In Matthew 26:34-35 we read, "'I tell you the truth,' Jesus answered, 'this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.' But Peter declared, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And all the other disciples said the same." Are we like Peter? In Mark 14:31 we also read, "But Peter insisted emphatically, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And all the others said the same."

Every one of Jesus' disciples said they would not forsake, abandon, or deny Jesus, yet Peter is the only one we give the bad rap to. These passages clearly portray Peter to be human. Yes, we are like Peter and I am sure he meant well when he opened his big mouth and said he would not forsake Christ, yet in his own strength he failed and fell short. Yet, why are we surprised to learn that Peter denied Jesus three times? After all, Jesus said this would happen and in Matthew 26:31 we read, "Then Jesus told them, 'This very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'" Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7 to all of His disciples and thus revealed that the rooster crowing and Peter denying Him were part of the BIG picture and God's ultimate plan.

A spiritual battle was taking place and we learn more as we read in Luke 22:31-34, "'Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I [Jesus] have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.' But he replied, 'Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.'" How often do we live our lives as if we too do not know Jesus or as if He does not exist? Failing to acknowledge God in our lives is denying Him. Are our words saying one thing, yet our actions saying something else? Are we like Peter?

Hearing the rooster crow was a pivotal point in Peter's life. Jesus' prayer for Peter was that his faith would not fail and His instructions to Peter were to, "Strengthen your brothers." Yes, Peter denied Christ three times prior to the rooster crowing, yet Jesus being the restorer of all things also gave Peter three chances to publicly confess his love for Him. In John 21:15-17 we read, "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed My lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of My sheep.' The third time He said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love Me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep.'"

Actions do speak louder than words and Jesus gave Peter a chance to make his walk match his talk. The ungodly curses Peter had called upon himself, as mentioned in Matthew 26:74, were now able to be broken as he confessed his love for Jesus. Peter was a changed man after the rooster crowed, "Cockadoodle do" and God will also change and restore us unto Himself if we allow Him to. He will give us many chances to prove our love and devotion to Him. Jesus prayed for Peter and He also intercedes on our behalf. For in Romans 8:34b we read, "Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

The question then according to Romans 8:31 is, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" May we strive to live the words credited to Saint Francis of Assisi when he said, "Preach the gospel at all times--if necessary, use words." For we, like Peter, are called to strengthen the brethren and feed the sheep. Amen.