I’m in a class this semester in which the professor is a vehement Philadelphia Eagles fan. As a Dallas Cowboys fan myself, I find this almost unforgivable. Now, normally, I’d talk football and trash-talk rival fans all day long. But during a lecture last weekend, when my professor jokingly asked if there were any Dallas fans in the room, I got sheepish and said nothing. My Cowboys are doing embarrassingly bad this year, and we took a humiliating defeat to the Eagles a few weeks back. It’s a bad time to be associated with them.
On a serious note, we can probably all understand how easily loyalty can be shaken. Even Peter, who was more devoted to following Jesus than any of us are to our sports teams, lost his faith when things went south, even outright denying ever being a disciple. But to be fair, the circumstances were challenging. His Messiah was in the hands of an angry mob, and his picture of triumph in Jerusalem was slipping away—not to mention, he had just foolishly lashed out with a sword and was now being interrogated by a relative of the guy he attacked. Wouldn’t we all get sheepish in Peter’s situation?
It's easy to say we believe. But sometimes that belief gets tested. It’s easy to say “Jesus is Lord no matter what happens,” but sometimes our confidence falters when things actually start to happen. The person of true faith can endure every doubt and humiliation and still know for certain that Jesus is Lord—because in fact he still is. But that faith is difficult, and difficult circumstances will often expose our faith as shallow. It happened to Jesus’ most zealous disciple; it can happen to us.
Take seriously the exhortation to guard and hold fast your faith. Even when the world seems to overshadow and mock the gospel, don’t be afraid to be identified as a devoted follower of Christ Jesus. But even when you fail as Peter did, know that there’s also hope. Later, the resurrected Christ will forgive and restore Peter, and Peter’s faith will be strengthened a hundredfold; and so will he do for us when we falter. Be strong in faith and not sheepish. Believe, even when the world caves in, that Jesus is Lord.
