SHUT UP THAT ROOSTER!

Scene: Peter and Jesus at the last supper. Peter declares. I will never deny you. Jesus replies: Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.

Scene: Jesus is taken into custody, beaten and whipped. Peter is now following from afar. Young maid recognizes him. Peter denies that he knows Jesus. Someone else recognizes Peter as a follower. Peter once again denies that he knows Jesus. A man recognizes Peter as a follower of Jesus. Peter denies it once again, this time cursing that he never knew the man Jesus. The rooster crows.

Peter remembering Jesus words...weeps bitterly

He hears the rooster crow again...the shame comes rushing back. He gets up the next morning after a sleepless night. He hears the rooster crow...all the memories and shame flood his mind.

Three days pass. Jesus rises...tells Mary to tell Peter and his disciples that he is alive. Peter meets Jesus and realizes he is forgiven.

But he stills hears the rooster crow every morning. He feels all the old shame come back. After all Peter realizes he did deny his Lord.
Every time Peter sees a rooster he feels sick....with the shame of his sin.

Peter must have finally placed all the shame and bitterness in the hands of Jesus. He was a mighty disciple. He must have eventually told that rooster to just shut up! He was forgiven!!!!

How many times do we bring our old shame and sin back into our minds. Jesus has forgiven us. We don't have to go back there and feel the shame again!
Maybe we just need to SHUT UP THAT ROOSTER!