THE COCK CROWS AT DAWN (5).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE COCK CROWS AT DAWN (5).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

John 26:34 *Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

The cock crows at dawn: at the beginning of a new day. Jesus' prediction using the rooster was a signal of light over darkness and the triumph of a new day and a new beginning.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Having carefully analyzed the gospels' recording of Peter's denial and Jesus' accurate prediction of events surrounding it, there may be a question that comes to mind.

This is that "Why did Christ choose the rooster's crow as the voice to Peter and its persistent crowing as proof that Peter would deny Him?

Why was it chosen as a reminder of His prophecy?

First, while Jesus remains our only standard of worship and the Holy Spirit as the ultimate conviction of sin, we are not to traditionalize the rooster's crow as anything but a reminder of how God can use insignificant things to achieve a divine purpose.

Second, it is not so much about God using insignificant things to fulfill a divine purpose but the accuracy of His prediction.

While it was generally recorded that the cock crowed after Peter's denial three times, each gospels recorded the times the cock crowed.

Mk 14:30 tells us that Jesus told Peter

*That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.*

From the details of Matt 26:34, Lk 22:34, John 13:38, Peter would deny Jesus three times "before the rooster crows".

There was no mention of how many times it would crow so it may be implied that the rooster crowed once

It is important to know that while Mark may have been more specific about how many times the cock crowed, Matthew, Luke and John were more focused of the accurate prediction of the prophecy of Jesus that the cock crow.

While no one may ask of God's choice and purpose of the rooster as a tool of prophecy, the important focus is on its fulfillment. His ways are unsearchable, Rom 11:33.

Peter's denial and the ultimate fulfillment through the rooster was a very loud crow and could be heard many distance away. If Peter could deny Jesus, he could not deny the noise of the rooster.

Every other disciple who heard Jesus's prophecy of the cock crow would confirm what Jesus said.

The voice of the Holy Spirit is loud and clear calling sinners to repentance.

Titus 2 :11 says *For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,*

The choice of the rooster by Christ may be its boldness to make such noise at that sleepy and that early hour. The rooster symbolized courage and a call for watchfulness.

The rooster's crows were persistent reminders of Peter's guilt or past uncontrolled tongue mistakes.

It was an opportunity for a fresh start.

A call for his repentance and the call to return to faith.

The cock crow was a reminder of not only of repentance but of regret, remorseful reflection and ultimate forgiveness.

It also served as a reminder that the path to redemption was always open. 

The rooster crow highlighted how God followed his word to confirm it, ref Jer 1:12.

Ever since then the rooster has consistently crowed at dawn reminding us it is morning and has never failed.

The rooster's act of reminding Peter of Christ's prophecy stood out and its reminder of a new day and its crowing still stands.

Waking up in the morning and going to God should be our number one priority.

Whatever you plan to do any early hours of the day should have the provision for God's earlier time of devotion.

The crow does nothing prior to crowing first thing at dawn. It was created for this purpose and it never misses the dawn. Why should you miss your morning devotion to God?

*Remorse corner.*

The rooster crows first in the morning. You should also start your day with prayer in the morning.

*Call to Word action.*

Psalm 5:3: *My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Prov 8:17 *I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.*

*Prayer.*

Lord, hear me when l call. As the rooster confirmed Jesus's accurate prediction, giving Peter a new path of repentance, give

me a fresh start of the day, a new beginning, and a new start, in Jesus name.

Good morning, and be blessed as you come into His presence today.

God bless you.

Shalom.