Signs and Symbols Surrounding the Cross: Holy Week Reflections From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sundayنموونە

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Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62

Read also Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:31-34; John 21:15-19.

REFLECT

The apostle Peter is often considered the most impulsive yet passionate and bold disciple of Jesus. As Peter journeyed with Jesus, we can see how he wanted to be involved and join Jesus in everything—from walking on water to asking Jesus to wash his whole body as He washed the disciples’ feet. He boldly declared that he would follow Jesus unto death, and even sliced off a soldier’s ear to protect Jesus.

During the Last Supper, Jesus warned him of the upcoming denial. Yet Peter was so sure and confident that he would not fail nor deny Him. He passionately claimed to follow Jesus even unto death, yet denied Him not once, but three times. He persistently declared—and ended up invoking a curse upon himself—“I do not know the man.”

Then the rooster crowed. Everything that the Lord had said came true. His heart must have sunk to his stomach. The Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter wept bitterly.

In paintings, Peter can be often seen with a rooster. How disheartening could it be if Peter knew he would always be associated with a rooster, the mark of his failure? If you think about it, that instance probably wasn’t the last time he saw a rooster. He might have seen one every day after. With every crow, he might have been taunted and reminded of his last interaction with Jesus before He died. If you were in Peter’s shoes, what would you have felt seeing a reminder of your mistakes, failures, and sins?

Thankfully, the rooster was not just a sign of Peter’s denial; it could have been an awakening of his weakness and a reminder of Jesus’ promise to restore him: “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Jesus knew that Peter would not stay a failure or deny Him forever. He was standing with Peter and prayed for him, knowing that Peter would be used by God for the building and strengthening of His Church.

After His resurrection, Jesus restored Peter not once but three times, asking, “Do you love me?” Perhaps one for each denial. Peter, grieved in his heart, said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” (John 21:17). Jesus then invited Peter once again to follow Him. This time, He charged Peter to not just fish for men but to tend to His flock.

Through His work on the cross, Jesus has removed our sins, guilt, and shame. As He did with Peter, He is at work in us, no matter what we have done. What is your rooster—a mark of your failure and weakness, but also a reminder of God’s restoring work in your life?

“There is No One Like the Savior”

by Johnson Oatman

Who can wash a sinner’s guilt away?

There is no one like the Savior, hallelujah!

Who can turn his darkness into day?

There is no one like the Savior, hallelujah!

RESPOND

• Is there any sin, mistake, or failure that God is calling you to lay at the foot of the cross? Come to Jesus today to receive His forgiveness and ask Him to restore you. Ask Him to help you no longer live in that past but to live in light of the cross.
• Our faith will be tested throughout our lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stand firm and empower you to overcome different challenges. Pray that your life would be one that honors God in everything, big or small.
• Is there anyone you know that needs God’s forgiveness and restoration in Christ? How may you share today’s reflection and encourage the person to come to Jesus?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You that You no longer count our sins against us but offer us complete forgiveness and a new life in You. We pray that though we may fail You, remind us how You have restored us by the power of the cross. Help us become steadfast in our faith and in our resolve to follow You and make You known. We rely on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and empower us to live holy, set apart lives in this fallen world. May we not grow weary or tired of living for You. Amen.

SONG

Nothing But the Blood

(Hymn) by AWAKE84