#373: A Rooster and a Second Chance

Luke 22:31-34, 54-62, & John 21:1-17

In today’s episode, we follow one of Jesus’ closest friends—Peter. From the quiet upper room, to the dark courtyard, and finally to breakfast on the beach, we’ll hear how Peter made a big promise to Jesus… and then broke it. But the story doesn’t end there. After Jesus rises from the dead, He lovingly gives Peter a second chance. This is a beautiful story of sadness, forgiveness, and hope—a reminder that Jesus never gives up on us, even when we mess up.

 

Big Ideas for Little Hearts:

• Jesus knows we’ll make mistakes, but He still loves us deeply.
• Peter denied Jesus three times, but Jesus forgave him and gave him a new job.
• Seeing the risen Jesus changed Peter from afraid to brave!
• No matter how far we run, Jesus welcomes us back and gives us a fresh start.

******Check out Andrew Kerhoulas' music with Brother K and Hearth Hymns***

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello again and welcome back to Kid's Bible Stories. Today's
story is called a Rooster and a Second Chance. This
comes from Luke chapter twenty two, verses thirty one through
thirty four, fifty four through sixty two, and John chapter
twenty one, verses one through seventeen. Today's episode is made

(00:23):
possible thanks to the generosity from Julianne stage Tony and
their puppy Bear. She told me her son looks forward
to every Wednesday for a new Bible story and they
listen as a family. That really makes my day. Thank
you for listening and for your support. If you would
like to join them or enjoy the weekly bonus content,

(00:45):
go to kbspodcast dot com. All right, listeners. Today's story
has some big highs and lows and involves a man
named Peter who was one of Jesus's close friends. We
just celebrated Easter and Peter was there when it all happened.

(01:10):
We're going to rewind and walk through Peter's experience from
before Jesus died to after he rose again. I want
you to pay attention and listen for how Peter changes
and remember this no matter what we've done when we

(01:31):
come back to Jesus. He welcomes us with open arms.
Let's begin our story here. The room was quiet, lit
only by the soft glow of oil lamps. Shadows danced

(01:55):
along the walls as the small group of friends gathered
around Jesus. Their bellies were full from supper, but their
hearts felt a little heavy. Something about tonight felt different.
Maybe it was the way Jesus looked at them, calm

(02:19):
but serious. Jesus turned to Peter and said, Simon. Simon,
Jesus said, speaking Peter's other name.

Speaker 2 (02:34):
Behold, Satan has demanded to have you, that he might
sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you
that your faith may not fail, and when you have
turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
Peter said to him.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
Lord, I am ready to go with you, both to
prison and to death.

Speaker 1 (02:59):
But Jesus said.

Speaker 2 (03:02):
Peter, before the rooster crows, tonight, you will say you
don't know me. You'll say this three times.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
The fire crackled. The friends looked at each other, unsure
of what was coming next. But Jesus knew, and still
he loved them deeply. See Jesus is warning them. He's
explaining that Satan is seeking to shake them all, test

(03:37):
them as farmers do to wheat. But what does Jesus
say he will do to protect them? Answer out loud,
pray for them. Yes, okay, let's continue and see what

(03:58):
happens next. Peter had just come from the garden. Listeners,
that's the garden of gathsemone that we just heard about
on the Easter episodes. He had been with Jesus among
the quiet olive trees where everything had started to go wrong,

(04:25):
or at least that's what they thought. Soldiers came with
torches and swords. Peter watched as Judas gave the signal
showing who Jesus was, and suddenly the soldiers arrested Jesus.
The friends who said they would stay close had scattered

(04:48):
into the night, their sandals slapping against the dirt path
as they ran. But Peter didn't run far. Now he
was following behind at a distance. He didn't want to
be seen, but he couldn't just leave Jesus either. His

(05:12):
heart pounded with every step. The guards led Jesus to
the High Priest's house, where important men would decide what
to do with him. Outside in the courtyard, people had
lit a fire. It crackled in the cold night air,

(05:34):
and a few folks huddled around it, rubbing their hands
for warmth. Peter quietly sat near them, trying to blend in.
The flames flickered, lighting up his face jo just enough
for someone to recognize him. A servant girl tilted her head,

(05:59):
squint in the firelight.

Speaker 2 (06:02):
Hey, I've seen him before. He was a gase us.

Speaker 1 (06:06):
Peter's eyes grew wide. He looked around. What would happen
if they knew? Peter shook his head.

Speaker 2 (06:15):
I don't know him.

Speaker 1 (06:17):
Peter looked down at the ground, hoping she would just
drop it. But a little while later someone else looked
at him closely. You're word of them all too, No,
I'm not, Peter firmly replied. Time passed, the fire popped,

(06:40):
and voices mumbled around him. Peter's hands were still cold,
but now it wasn't from the air. It was fear
creeping in. About an hour later, someone else spoke up,
looking directly at Peter. I know for sure this man

(07:03):
was with Jesus. Why you can tell he's from Galilee.

Speaker 2 (07:09):
Man, I don't know what you're talking about.

Speaker 1 (07:12):
And immediately while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed
the sound broke through the night air, loud, clear, awful.
Peter's heart sank, he froze. He remembered Jesus had said

(07:40):
it would happen, and across the courtyard, Jesus turned and
looked at him. Peter met his eyes, not angry, not surprised,
just knowing. Peter stood up quickly. He couldn't stay there.

(08:03):
He ran out through the gate, tears streaming down his face.

Speaker 2 (08:09):
He wept.

Speaker 1 (08:10):
He told Jesus he would never leave him. Well, he
said he would die for him, But now he had
said three times that he didn't even know him, and
the rooster had crowed. Well. After this, Jesus went to

(08:34):
the cross, died and was buried. But on the third day,
tell me what happened. He was excellent. Let's see what
happens with Peter after this. As we continued, it had

(08:56):
been days since Jesus died on the cross. Peter had
seen it all. The sky had turned dark, the earth
had shaken, and Peter remembered the rooster, the denial, the tears.

(09:18):
His heart felt heavy with sadness. But then, oh, something
amazing happened. Jesus didn't stay in the tomb. He rose
he really did what he said he would do. He
had risen from the dead, and Peter saw him alive.

(09:41):
He touched his hands, he even saw the scars. It
was all real. Jesus was alive. One morning, Peter and

(10:03):
some of the other disciples were out fishing on the sea.
They had fished all night and caught nothing. Then a
man standing on the shore called out to them.

Speaker 2 (10:19):
Throw your net on the other side of the boat.

Speaker 1 (10:23):
So they did, and suddenly the net was full of fish,
so many they could barely pull it in. John looked
at Peter and said, it's the Lord. Peter's heart left

(10:45):
it was Jesus. Without waiting another second, Peter jumped into
the water and swam to shore. When Peter got to
the beach, there was a warm fire waiting and breakfast

(11:05):
fish and bread. Jesus had made it for them. After
they ate, Jesus turned to Peter. There were no crowds,
just the sound of the sea, the fire crackling, and
the gentle voice of Jesus.

Speaker 2 (11:27):
Peter, do you love me more than these?

Speaker 1 (11:34):
Peter looked down, then back up.

Speaker 2 (11:39):
Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Then feed
my lambs.

Speaker 1 (11:48):
A moment passed, then Jesus asked again.

Speaker 2 (11:53):
Peter, do you love me? Yes, Lord, you know that
I love you. Then take care of my sheep.

Speaker 1 (12:05):
Then a third time, Peter, do you love me? Peter's
eyes filled with tears. Jesus had asked him three times,
just like Peter had said three times that he didn't

(12:25):
know him. Now Jesus was giving Peter the chance to
say three times that he loved him. Peter didn't hold back.

Speaker 2 (12:40):
Lord, you know everything.

Speaker 1 (12:42):
You know that I love you, Jesus smiled.

Speaker 2 (12:47):
Then feed my sheep.

Speaker 1 (12:57):
Well, that is it for a story today. But before
we go, let's think about what we just heard. How
many times did Peter say he didn't know Jesus three yes,
And after Jesus had risen, how many times did he

(13:18):
ask Peter if he loved him? Say yes? Good job.
Jesus forgave Peter. He didn't say, oh, you messed up,
go away. No, he said, I still want you, I

(13:40):
still love you, and will use you to go out
and spread the good news about me to others. Peter
had messed up, but Jesus gave him a new start.
Peter was different after that. Before Jesus died and rose again,

(14:00):
did Peter run away. Yes he ran away, yes, remember
he did. He kind of followed at a distance, trying
to see what was going to happen. But after Peter
saw Jesus alive, everything changed. Peter became bold and brave,

(14:23):
so brave that later in his life he even died
for his faith in Jesus. If you ever think that
you made too big of a mistake, I hope that
you remember Peter. No matter how far we've run, Jesus,

(14:46):
he still loves us. When we ask him to forgive us,
guess what he does. He forgives us, and just like Peter,
he welcomes up us back and gives us a fresh start.

(15:06):
Well that is it for today's story. Thanks to today's
special voice guest Andrew Carhulis, who played the voice of Peter.
He's a great dad to three little kids and a
really talented musician. You can experience the richness of his
music on Spotify when you search Brother Kay or Hearth Hymns.
I'll link this in the show notes for you too.
Thank you again so much for listening today, and as always,

(15:30):
bye for now.