When the Rooster Crows!

In modern American culture most people we know do not greet the dawn with the crowing of a rooster. The closest most of us come is a novelty alarm clock or the ring tones on our cell phone. I actually know two people who have a crowing rooster as their ring tone. something that is a novelty to us however, was common place for the people of Jesus's time. It was quite familiar to me for most of my early life. Even though it is not a part of our everyday life most of us are aware of this unique experience through books, television or the movies. We are not so far removed that we cannot imagine what it would be like to greet the day with a rooster's crow.

Let me share a couple interesting observations by Fredrick Buechner. They are both regarding a sermon preached by Dr. Robert MacFarlane about knowing who Jesus is. The first is more an observation about preaching in general and the second is about a specific sermon on the denial of Jesus by Peter.

Buechner says, "One particular sermon I will always remember though I cannot be sure that is exactly the sermon he preached because of course it is the sermons we preach to ourselves around the preacher's sermons that are the ones that we hear most powerfully." It has been my experience that this statement is an accurate assessment of preaching. We all take what the preacher says and preach our own sermon.

He next speaks about the sermon on Peter's denial. The back story on Peter's denial if you remember, is that Jesus has foretold Peter's denial. Peter is now warming himself by the enemy's fire. When questioned by the servant of the high priest, Peter replies, "I do not even know who he is." At that moment the prediction of Jesus unfolds and Peter in sorrow recalls.

In an instant, like the thunder's crash the prince of the barnyard struts to his roof top perch. He stretches his walking stick neck, throws back his red crowned head, his sharp beak juts forth toward heaven and he calls to awaken the morning sun. The rooster crows! He sings loud and clear, the trumpet call a sound of warning and alarm. The rooster crows! In that moment Peter sorrowfully remembers the prediction of Jesus. What seemed to be inconceivable only hours before now is only too real. He has denied his Lord. The rooster crowed!

It was Peter's denial but it was something more. It was both denial and truth. It is a reoccurring theme in the gospels. The disciples of Jesus frequently speculate on who Jesus might be. It is true for Peter, true for the disciples in general and it is true of me. I must confess that I frequently don't know who he is. He always seems to just beyond my grasp. I catch a glimpse of him from behind. He is a shadow on the edge of my vision. On those rare occasions when I stretch out my hand to grab hold, only to touch the hem of his garment. For all my desire to know him he continues to elude me.

Buechner says, "We can love him, we can learn from him, but we can only come to know him by following him- by searching for him in his church, in his gospel and in each other." We are seekers, searchers reaching out to that which is beyond us and yet is a part of us. We are in him and he is in us. Each Sunday, with each breaking of bread, in every sip of juice, with each act of worship and service we come to know him.

I hear the rooster crow,

My tears and fears so cold.

My denial, "this man I do not know,"

Suddenly the rooster crows!

Basking in the light so bold,

The wonder of dawns healing glow.

"More about Jesus would I know,

More of his grace to others show,"

Weeping, I hear the rooster crows.

Who is this Jesus I do not know?

Whose death I now behold.

His body, the pain untold,

We listen, for the rooster's crow.

I long for resurrection to unfold,

Remember not the rooster's crow.

But only Jesus, let me know.

Just somethings to think about along the way.

Bob