Peter was the most human of any of the disciples, at least as they are recorded in the Bible. He could soar to the heights of acknowledging Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God in one breath, to sticking his foot in his mouth two minutes later. He had more courage than all the other disciples when he stepped out of a boat on a stormy sea and began walking towards Jesus; to acting like a coward when a servant girl asked him if he knew Jesus. It was also at that most crucial moment that we see Peter’s heart when he repented and wept bitterly. In other words, it would have been what we sometimes call “ugly crying.” It was loud, extreme, and not attractive to look upon. Peter had denied the One he loved. Granted, he was in a tough spot, but life often tests us in difficult moments.

Has your faith ever been challenged in a hostile environment that caused you to make a decision as to how you would respond? We often criticize Peter for taking his eyes off of Jesus and beginning to sink into the sea, but he was the only one who got out of the boat. We often criticize Peter for denying Jesus, but he was the only one who was there when all the others had fled.

Sometimes, our walk with Christ demands a leap of faith and a courageous stand even though we are surrounded by the unholy. May God help us to stand in agreement with the Apostle Paul and declare, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…” Souls could well hang in the balance.