Grace that Precedes the Morning

Some theology from a rooster, of all things.

John tells the story quietly. No emotional outburst. No weeping. Just three denials. Then a rooster.

But back in chapter 13, Jesus already told Peter what would happen.

Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.

It’s not that Peter was lying when he said he’d follow Jesus anywhere. He meant it. We all do, in moments of clarity and resolve. But moments shift. And when the stakes are high, fear gets louder than faith.

John doesn’t embellish the scene. He just lets it speak:
“Aren’t you one of his disciples?”
“I am not.”

And the rooster crows.

The rooster is hardly mentioned in scripture. Other than a passing comment in Proverbs and another statement from Jesus, Peter and his rooster are it. Yet what was most well known about roosters then is still true now: they crow near the end of night, and you know morning light is near. Both Romans and Jews used roosters to set the time. When the rooster crows - you know morning is coming. Hear the rooster, be reminded that light will soon expose the darkness.

Yet the gospel doesn’t dwell on Peter’s shame here. That reminder will come a bit later, though gently with another fire, a meal, and the words “Do you love me?” But for now, we’re just left with the sound of failure. And with the reality that Jesus saw it coming—and loved Peter anyway.

That’s grace, a grace that’s the beginning of what’s coming next, like the morning light.

Blessed Sunday to you.

John 18:25-27

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing with the guards, warming himself. They asked, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?”

Peter denied it, saying, “I’m not.”

A servant of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said to him, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Psalm 51:10-12

Create a clean heart for me, God;
put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!
Don’t throw me out of your presence;
don’t take your holy spirit away from me.
Return the joy of your salvation to me
and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for grace that sees us through the night.
Thank you for love that remains, even after failure.
Let the morning light of your mercy rise again in us today.
As we gather with your Church today, reveal to us your light.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.