Silence the Rooster

"The way of Jesus is the way of extravagant grace and new beginnings. Consider for a moment the conversation Jesus had with Peter on the topic of forgiveness. Peter’s question was sincere; he thought he was being more than generous and extremely gracious. '“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”' Peter had no idea how deeply Jesus valued forgiveness and new beginnings. Jesus answered Peter, '“I tell you not seven times, but seventy–seven times.”' It was his way of saying: We will forgive those who sin against us an infinite amount of times. Grace, Jesus­–style, will create a culture that values mercy over judgment, forgiveness over shame, and freedom over bondage. Rather than harboring resentments, which limits the potential for new life, a community built on the values of Jesus will be known for its extravagant grace. "

 Left quote from
​Think Red: Imagine Your Community Living and Loving Like Jesus

​On the night before Jesus was crucified Peter pledged his allegiance to Jesus and said, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”  Jesus corrected Peter; “You will deny me—not once, not twice, but three times.” How heavy and broken Peter’s heart must have felt when he heard the eerie sound of the rooster crowing.
 
Peter was sincere. He loved Jesus and had full intention of protecting his honor, even unto death. But in the heat of the moment, fear overwhelmed his heart and his confidence buckled. He denied his friend and chose to save his own skin. The shame of it all could have taken Peter out of the game for life. Bitterness and resentments could have severed the relationship between Jesus and Peter, leaving Peter to live the rest of his life in the back of a fishing boat . . . haunted by the sound of the rooster crowing every morning.
 
But Peter’s story doesn’t end on the night of his biggest blunder. No one is defined by the mistakes they make on their worst days. The unrelenting love of God will not stand for it. On that first Easter morning when Mary entered the empty tomb she heard a man in a white robe say: “Go, tell the disciples and Peter to meet Jesus in Galilee.” Jesus wanted to make sure Peter was present. He didn’t want the sounds of shame that were echoing in Peter’s ear to keep him from seeing the miracle. God’s love had broken the power of sin and death. Jesus was alive!
 
After their first breakfast together, Jesus and Peter took a walk on the beach. Jesus asked Peter three times: Do you love me? Sometimes I wonder if Jesus reminded Peter about the conversation they had years before. “Remember Peter, I said we will forgive our brothers and sisters seventy–seven times. Peter, you’re my friend. I forgive you.”  

​Today, if you hear a rooster crowing, reminding you of failures in your past, stare down the rooster and silence the sounds of shame with the Good News:  Jesus is alive! You are forgiven! Start today living the new life God created you to live.