The shame and redemption of the rooster- I want to try to summarize and convey a piece of Dr. Bruce Webbs message today at the community Easter service in The Woodlands. If it comes out on their podcast, I will share it then for you, but it was just so beautiful, I want to share a little of it. He started out by conducting a little experiment. He had several sounds/noises played over the system, and asked us to give our own thumbs up or down signal to the emotion that it brought up in us....a baby crying, school bell ringing, Christmas jingles, telephone ringing...others- the last he gave was a rooster crowing. There was a mixture- I was a thumbs down person on that one, as it signifies that its time to get up, and usually too early. He talked about how this wasnt a common sound for him to hear, but how in Third World countries especially, this is a common sound most of the day. Yes, Ive noticed this. Then he read the scriptures about Peter, and how he was so determined he would not betray Jesus, even though Jesus had predicted he would disown Him 3 times before the rooster crowed. He talked about how Peter must have felt when he heard that rooster- the deep shame that came over him- and how he surely must have relived that shame each time he heard a rooster crow- a sound he must have heard often throughout the days and nights that followed. He talked about shame- how its universal- that everyone experiences it, no matter what our background, culture, social status- how the Bible says that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God- and then he asked us to think about the roosters that crow to each of us- those things we have done, or even that were done to us, that continually remind us of our shame, that we are unworthy to be loved. Everyone has them. He jokingly told us to turn to the person next to us and tell them the worst thing weve have ever done. :) You should have seen the faces when he said that, quickly telling us, No, dont! But, what a thought. Roosters crowing in our minds all over the pavilion. He went on to tell about how when Peter saw Jesus after the Resurrection, he stepped out of the boat towards Him, but it wasnt like we would expect him to react- He was clumsy and unsure of himself- still full of so much shame. Jesus greeted him by offering to cook breakfast for him, immediately showing acceptance. Three times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him- redeeming each time Peter betrayed Him. We wondered together if after this, whenever Peter heard a rooster crow, if he was reminded of the great, unconditional love and forgiveness he had received from Jesus. Such a great message, and not retold very eloquently, but I thought you might be blessed- again, I will post it on here if they put it out on their podcast.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 22:27:42 +0000
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