Peter's Repentance: The Cock's Crow as Divine Instrument

When the cock crew, Peter called to mind the word of Christ—a moment of piercing conviction. That ordinary crowing became extraordinary, ordained by Elohim for specific ends: to remind Peter of his broken promise, to witness to Christ's words Peter refused to believe, to reprove his sin, and to accuse his own conscience. A mere cock kept its watch according to its Creator's design, yet Peter had not kept his watch with his Lord but fearfully fallen in his station.

The timing of Peter's repentance proves vital. "Then"—immediately after the sin, without delay. The Hebrews writer asks: "Hast thou a lease of thy life till to-morrow, that thou refusest to repent to-day?" Sin gains strength through continuance; nature teaches us to sow in seed-time and make hay while the sun shines. Late repentance is seldom true repentance.

Peter's means of repentance were twofold. Externally: the cock's crow and Christ's backward glance. Internally: remembering and weighing the Lord's words. Peter went out from the hall and porch—places of danger and tumult unfit for meditation—because he perceived that lingering among wicked men only heaped sin upon his conscience. Solitariness proved better than evil company. He sought solitude with Adonai, to bewail his sin and weep bitterly, separated from those whose pleasures grieve the righteous heart.