Rooster Crow Devo

September 18th, 2016  

Devotional

“Wild Goose Chase: The Rooster’s Crow” - Matthew 18: 21-22, John 18: 13-27

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Monday: “They Took Him” -John 18: 13-14

This week we will be journeying with the disciple Peter. Each day I want you to take a moment to imagine that you are the disciple Peter. Peter has just went through a horrific event. He was attempting to pray with Jesus in the garden with a few of the other disciples but he could not stay awake. Next thing he knew people were coming to arrest Jesus. He followed his first instinct and pulled his sword from the sheave by his side and cut the right ear right off of the high priests guard. That was his friend and Lord they were trying to take away! He would do anything to stop him! But Jesus did a funny thing and told Peter to put his sword away, healed the ear of the guard, and then willingly went with those who were trying to arrest him.

Now they were taking Jesus to the Annas, whose farther-in-law was the high priest. Caiaphas did not like Jesus. He thought he was causing trouble and had been heard saying that it was better for this one man, Jesus, to die, in order for the people to maintain peace and order. Peter probably knew what Caiaphas had said. How would he feel as he watched Jesus willingly go to the house of Annas, who followed the teaching and orders of his father-in-law?

What thoughts and feelings would you have as the apostle Peter?

How would you react if you watched Jesus heal the ear of the high priests guard?

Prayer: God, often we do not understand your ways. We do not understand why you willingly gave your life for us, why you willingly went with the guards who came to arrest us? But even though we do not understand, we are thankful. Help us never take your gift lightly. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Followed Jesus” - John 18: 15-18

Peter didn’t know for sure what was going on, but he knew that it wasn’t good. Why else would they arrest Jesus like they did, at night, in the garden? This wasn’t the way things were done. He was probably fearful about what was going to happen, nervous that they would come after him next, and angry at the leaders who had done this all at the same time. So he followed after Jesus, but at a distance.

What is your first reaction when you or someone you love is wronged? Is it to follow after them to make sure that they are safe? Is it to say awful things about the person you consider to be your enemy in the situation? Or is it to pray for those who are against you or who you love? 

Peter’s first error in this scripture passage wasn’t necessary to follow Jesus to the courtyard but not go in. Nor was it the denial of knowing Jesus. Perhaps Peter’s first error was that he did not stop and pray. To pray like the outcome of the situation before him depended upon God. 

In a way many of us are like Peter, people of action. Acting first and then thinking later. But what if we were first and foremost a people of prayer? Praying when a situation is fearful or makes us nervous or angry? What if we would stop, even in the heat of the moment to give what we are facing over to God?

Who do you need to be praying for even when it is hard? 

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we find it easy to pray for those we love, but much harder to pray for our enemies. Even harder still to pray for those who wrong us in the midst of whatever we face or are going through. Forgive us, O Lord, and make us first be a people of prayer. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Why Do You Ask Me?” - John 18: 19-24

When dragged before the high priest Jesus was questioned about his teachings. I love how Jesus answers. He essentially says he has spoken in public and in private with integrity. He has taught what he taught and therefore they should already be able to answer their own questions. 

Contrast this with Peter who just a few verses before had denied even knowing Jesus. Jesus is modeling for us with his words what it means to have obedience with integrity, no matter what the cost. Obedience is important. Following where the Holy Spirit leads is important. But it is also important to do so in an undivided way - not following Jesus in some places and denying him (or not following him) in others.

What makes us lack with a lack of integrity the most? Wanting to avoid suffering. But that is simply not Biblical and is certainly not the example of our Lord and Savior. Jesus, even in the face of great suffering, shows us what it looks like to live a whole life, a life of integrity. 

What holds you back at times form living a life of integrity?

Prayer: Lord, help us to be whole people. Help us to live lives of integrity - not embracing you on Sunday morning and denying you on Monday. Help us live into the example of our Lord and Savior, following your leading in every situation. Amen. 

Thursday: “Again” - John 18: 25 - 27

Peter has already denied Jesus once. Maybe he thinks his lie will act as a safety net, protecting him from other people asking if he knows Jesus or if he is one of his followers. So he sticks around the courtyard, still wanting to hear a word about what is to happen to his friend. Only people don’t stop asking. Peter is questioned two more times about his relationship with Jesus and two more times he denies knowing him. Then the cock crows. And Peter remembers what Jesus had told him earlier that evening - that he would deny knowing Jesus. Peter had been so sure that he would never do that now here he is, just as Jesus had said. 

Peter must have been plagued by guilt. He had done that which he said he would never do. Have we ever been there, feeling like Peter, shocked by the sins we commit or going against our very values and beliefs? What are those experiences in your life when you have felt profound guilt and what set you free? 

What is the “rooster crow” that sets off guilty feelings for you?

What are the two or three experience you regret most in life? How are you set free from the guilt associated with these experiences? 

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we have denied you, just like Peter, with our words and actions. Forgive us, O Lord. Free us from the guilt we carry and allow us to follow after you anew. Amen. 

Friday: “Forgive” - Matthew 18: 21-22

Perhaps one of the hardest things to do in this life is to love someone who you don’t feel deserves it. To love someone who has hurt you. To love someone who acted in an unloving way towards you time and time again. 

The truth is, when we forgive people that hurt us, it is just as much for us as it is for them. When we forgive people, even multiple times, it allows us to be freed from the hurt of past experiences so we aren’t continually prisoners of the past. For if we are always looking back how would we follow the Spirit who is leading us forward? 

Christ is telling us with this passage that there are not limits to forgiveness - either ours or Christ’s. May we be a church marked by this type of forgiveness, which changes lives. 

Who do you need to forgive in order to follow the Holy Spirit?

Prayer: Lord, make us be a people of forgiveness. People who forgive others, but also people who seek forgiveness when we cause other’s harm. Empower us to live into your teachings, even when it is hard, so that we can be a witness for you in this world. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

Family Activity: Talk to your kids about forgiveness. Has someone been mean to them in school? How can they forgive that person? How many times should they forgive the person? How does this relate to God forgiving us?