That pesky rooster

Matthew 27.69-75  NRSV    courtesy of www.biblestudytools.com

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it before all of them, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." 71 When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74 Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know the man!" At that moment the cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Before we begin, please note that I have located a website that will provide the scripture text in New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) which is the translation we use during Sunday worship. 

Now some reflections on this classic scene filled with terror and unforeseen, but anticipated consequences.  If I were to picture a cinematic correlate, it would be a scene involved organized crime and their untamed violence towards others.  That threat hangs in the air and it is hard to fault Peter for being afraid.  We know what we would have done in his shoes.

This scene takes place in the darkness - the time when evil can do its work unseen.  It is interesting that Matthew does not have a warming fire in his description.  It is all dark except for whatever torches would have been present in the courtyard.  It is not a friendly or inviting scene.

Peter is taken down by a servant girl.  Notice Peter denies knowing Jesus 'before all of them.'  He tries to escape from their sight (going out on the porch) but there is no place he can escape to.  So he intensifies his speech, denying Jesus 'with an oath.'  Next it is an anonymous bystander who notices Peter's accent (Galilean) and so accuses him.  Ironic, isn't it, that it is Peter's own speech that betrays him - and by his words he betrays Jesus?

Then that pesky rooster crows and Jesus' prophesy is fulfilled.  Peter 'remembered what Jesus had said' - now here is an interesting point for preaching.  What was it exactly that Peter remembered?  Did he just remember that Jesus had predicted the 3 fold denial?  Or did he remember lots of other things Jesus said?  When Jesus called him and Andrew to follow?  When Jesus cast out the demons?  When Jesus spoke of those who are blessed by God?  Could this brief verse on remembering be a shorthand for the entire experience Peter had had with Jesus - which he had now denied and discarded.

And Peter wept bitterly.  Thus we are privy to deep awareness of sinfulness and a confession of tears. 

Some random thoughts:  Could this moment of bitter weeping be Peter's 'born again' experience?  Could this be the moment when his relationship with Jesus shifted that last necessary amount so Peter could cling to Jesus as Savior and press his personal relationship with the man Jesus back in priority?

Why did the Gospel writers and those who compiled the Bible include this story?  Peter was a sufficiently important person after the resurrection that a story this embarrassing could have been left out.  The mere fact that we have this story says something about the reality of being human, a reality that the gospel writers wanted to include.   Peter, as a leader of the new community of faith that gathered around Jesus' name, had to confront this truth about himself each time the story was told. 

Why are we so bent out of shape with Judas and there is little negative feeling about Peter?  When the disciples gathered for the last supper and Jesus indicated that someone who was eating with them would betray him, we all assume Jesus meant Judas - but the description could apply to Peter as well.  The betrayers, the deniers, the doubters, the confused, the frightened - disciples of every make and model were not only present, they were welcome at that table.  Because that is where forgiveness is found.  Forgiveness available in this one called Jesus.

We've all been in Peter's shoes - well, not exactly, but we've been confronted with a situation which will be at least awkward if we professed our faith......and so we side step the question, or make a joke, or turn a deaf ear.  Peter's story turns up the heat on us as well.