When the Rooster Crows

It can be rather annoying. For apparently no particular reason, roosters crow. They crow in the early dawn or the late of day. But they do crow. It seems the most common reasons are one, they are programmed to do so at daybreak (which may often be much earlier than you and I would call daybreak) and two, they crow as a control mechanism. Either way, it appears that the crowing is mostly territorial. To let other roosters know who is in charge of what.

When Jesus told Peter, "The rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times (John 13:36-38)," there was nothing particularly special about it - the crowing that is. If anything it was suspending an animals natural instinct until an appointed time.

What was special spiritually was a "marking" of an action that signified defeat, Peter's denial of Christ. This was important because it helps us to understand how even those who appear strongest, struggle.

There can be times in my life when the rooster never seems to shut up. There are other times when I can be making great progress only to falter and hear the rooster crow. Yes, at first it is annoying. But then I realize the "crowing" signals there is a problem. Sin has encroached on a territory that belongs to God and He will not tolerate sin.

I suppose I am thankful that we have no roosters in our community, at least that I can hear. I am also thankful that there is, in some regards, an internal rooster which is always present. When that rooster crows, I know there is a problem.

Father Spirit, thank you that when the rooster crows, You are calling me back to Yourself. Although I may weep with sorrow when I hear it, I can rejoice that You are signaling me - I have crossed the boundaries, come back where I belong.