March 4, 2018 - AND THE ROOSTER CROWED

Day 63 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 45; Psalm 59; Matthew 26:57–75)

 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:73-75 ESV)

Peter was good at forgetting his own words...

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!”  (Matthew 26:35 ESV)

And now Jesus’ warning has come true. Peter’s fear gets the best of him when he is confronted with the fact that he is one of Jesus’ disciples. He calls down a curse on himself, and then THE ROOSTER CROWS. Now he remembers that evening’s earlier conversations and his impetuous promise. The result is bitter tears of sorrow, shame, and regret.

THE ROOSTER CROWS for us, too, each time God's Law reminds us of our denials of Jesus. Whether motivated by fear or our constant obsession with self, we too deny Jesus daily. That is the nature of our sinful condition.

How did things turn out for Peter? Jesus forgave Him and sent Him out to tell others about all that Jesus has done for sinners like Peter.

Lord Jesus, thank You for accepting one who denied You and using him in dramatic fashion to share Your story with others. Please do the same for me and through me. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion table this morning!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!