For Whom the Cock Crows – Lk. 22:54-71
Seventeenth century poet John Donne wrote a series of prayers and meditations while recovering from a near fatal illness. They were mostly reflections of a near death experience and what it had taught him about the meaning of life. One of the most famous quotes from this collection states, “And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.” We often refer to this quote as a reminder that all of us will die at some point.
In today’s text, we will read one of the most well known stories regarding Peter and Jesus. It is the story of Peter denying that he knows Jesus three times. The story reminds us that none of the apostles, particularly Peter, were superheros. They were human beings with their own flaws and weaknesses. In this particular story, Peter is told by Jesus that he will deny knowing the Lord three times before the rooster crows the following morning.
If you are familiar with the story, you know exactly what happens. When the rooster crows, it’s a reminder to Peter of just how weak his flesh is. It’s also reminder to us – in the sense that we are often in the position of having to either affirm or deny our faith in the Lord Jesus. Hopefully, we are affirm more often than deny.