The scene was impressive: a court of justice on a... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.
Luke 22:60.61

The scene was impressive: a court of justice on a cool, gloomy night; a flickering fire, soldiers with coarse voices. The accused was a prisoner who deserved our sympathy before a host of malicious accusers. Peter was standing in the centre. He had meanwhile protested emphatically that he had nothing to do with the accused, Jesus Christ, the Man from Nazareth. He maintained that he didn't even know Him. Then, suddenly, a cock crowed.

That night many cocks may have crowed in Jerusalem, but this crowing was unique, as Peter tried to defend himself. Jesus looked at Peter, and Peter broke down under the burden of his guilt and went outside. He had denied his Master, even disputing that he knew Him.

It was the simple crowing of a cockrel, and Jesus used it to awaken Peter's conscience. Haven't we experienced such a situation in our life: conversations, so-called chance happenings that at first appeared unimportant and apparently quite normal, and then hit us like a bomb? Then we suddenly became aware that Jesus Christ Himself was speaking to us as a warning, seeking to prevent a disastrous undertaking. Like Peter, we had carelessly got away from our Lord in our pride, indifference or self-assurance.

The cock crowed, and the Lord's glance sufficed to make Peter aware of his failure, but it was also the way leading to forgiveness.

Today's reading: Exodus 10:24-11:10 · Luke 5:1-11