Courage. Are we born with it? Once we have it, do we always keep it? Or, does it come and go?
Peter had courage, and a measure of faith, when Jesus invited him to walk on the water. Peter also had courage when he thought he was protecting Jesus. When the high priest led a contingent of soldiers to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off Malchus’ ear.
But Peter temporarily lost his courage (perhaps it was a crisis in faith) after Jesus was arrested, denying knowing his Master, not once, but three times.
Jesus’ compassion and His grace is much larger than our temporary lack of courage and faith. We must remember that after Peter’s denial and soon after Jesus’ resurrection, an angel told Mary Magdalene at the tomb, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:7)
Even after this lack of courage and faith, Peter was included! So are we. We fall, we get back up again. We all have lapses in courage. And sometimes our faith gets weak. We keep our eyes on Jesus. He is our courage and the author of our faith.
He is for us!
Keith Madison
SCORE International
