What Do Roosters Have to Do with Anything?

Jay has been preaching through the book of I Peter, and a few weeks ago, the title of his message was, “Roosters.” I kept wondering “What do roosters have to do with anything?”

For the life of me, I could not imagine how roosters and I Peter were going to come together! However, by the end of the message, it all made sense.

Common Themes of I Peter

Peter was writing to the Christians who were dispersed throughout Asia because of persecution. Here are some of the things he was trying to make sure they grasped:

• Suffering on earth is temporary.
• There will be persecutions for believers, but we can stand strong.
• Live a holy life instead of trying to fit in with the world.
• Have a reverential fear of the Lord instead of the fear of what man might do to you.
• As people who are “exiles,” we will look differently (in many ways) from the world.
• The way we handle hardships, suffering, and persecution can lead others to Christ.
• We can cast all of our cares, anxiety, and problems at the feet of the Lord.

The Good and Bad of the Roosters’ Crow

Just like almost everything else, there are good and bad sides to roosters. In his message, Jay talked about a time he was on the mission field in the middle of the city of a third world country.

Apparently there were chickens all throughout the city. Of course you always have roosters among the chickens.

As you can imagine, mornings were very loud. The mission team had a built in alarm clock, even when they didn’t want one.

That side of the roosters was not very positive, in fact, he couldn’t stand it.

Now think about sitting on your back porch early in the morning. It is just you, the Lord, His Word, a cool breeze, and the distant sound of a rooster’s crow. It can be majestic!

I could listen to that rooster’s crow all day!

I Peter 3:13-17

³ “Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, ¹⁵ but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. ¹⁶ Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” I Peter 3:13-17

Keep in mind who was teaching these lessons – Peter.

We normally have a voice for the lessons we have learned in life.

Can you imagine how encouraging this must have been for the Christians to hear? Many of them were exiled, going through extreme persecution, and suffering. What a motivating message for them (and us) to hear.

Peter’s History

Except for Christ, we all make mistakes. Hopefully we learn from those mistakes, and then we can help others go through the same situations.

Peter’s Denial and the Rooster

Despite his good intentions…

“Peter told Him, ‘Even if everyone falls away because of You, I will never fall away.’” Matthew 26:33

You know the story, Peter denied even knowing who Christ was 3 times before…

The Rooster Crowed!

⁷⁴ “Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “’I don’t know the man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed, ⁷⁵ and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:74-75

Peter had great intentions, but he let the fear of men get to him. That fear caused him to do something he never thought he would do – deny Christ.

I have often thought how horrible Peter must have felt – all of the shame and regret had to have been heavy. I have been there too.

Peter definitely had a negative experience with the rooster’s crow. Imagine the trauma response. I would never want to hear another rooster again!

How did this happen?

1. Peter was living in the flesh and feared what men could do to him.
2. He was not prepared to give a God-honoring answer about his relationship with Christ.

Peter’s Victory

Fast forward a few years – a lot had happened:

• Christ had been crucified, he died, and rose on the 3rd day.
• Jesus had a personal encounter with Peter where He forgave him and let him know that He was still going to use him in His kingdom.
• Peter went about preaching and teaching the Word, and many were brought into the Kingdom.
• Peter encountered lots of persecution. He was delivered in many cases, but in the end, he died for Christ. He learned his lesson and would not ever deny Him again. He no longer let the fear of men control him.

In one of Peter’s times of hardship, he (along with some other apostles) got arrested for preaching. An angel came in the night and let them out of the jail.

The next morning, the high priest questioned them:

²⁷ “After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, ²⁸ ‘Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this Name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this Man’s blood.’” Acts 5:27-28

The old Peter may have caved at that point. I wonder if he remembered the rooster’s crow as he replied.

If the rooster had crowed this time, Peter would have felt much differently. What was the difference?

1. Peter was living in the power of the Holy Spirit and not the flesh.
2. He feared God and was prepared to give a God-honoring answer about Jesus.

Rooster Reflections

One of the messages Peter continued to preach was to look different than the world so that someone might ask what makes you different.

We do this not only in our actions and the things we abstain from, but also in our responses. They should always go through the filter of love.

Here are some questions to ask ourselves:

• Who do you fear – men or God?
• Do you live your life in such a way that unbelievers ask what makes you different?
• Are you always prepared to give the reason for the hope you have?
• Are you quick to give that reason or does fear take over?
• How would you feel if the rooster crowed?

Rooster Take Aways

If any of the answers to those questions need to change, Peter’s testimony shows us how to do it:

• Living in the power of the Holy Spirit makes the difference.
• When we live in the power of the Holy Spirit:
  • Our actions will generate an interest.
  • Our actions will draw questions.
  • We won’t fear men.
  • We will be prepared to give the reason for the hope that we have.

Living in the power of the Holy Spirit will result in feelings of victory when we hear the rooster crow.

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Roosters can be very annoying or very peaceful, it all depends on the circumstances.

I pray that when we are given opportunities to share things that the Lord wants us to share, we will fully obey.

When the rooster crows and we know the Lord is pleased with us, what a beautiful sound it is!

Bible Study Resources

She Reads Truth Bible
Listen Closer Devotional Book by Brendt Blanks

Related Posts

Is It Possible to Grieve with Grace and Joy
Time Lessons: Like Sands Through the Hourglass
Lessons from The Little Red Hen
Faith or Fear: Lessons from Numbers 13

Until next time,

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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19