"In sobering moments, we may even feel sorry for Peter. Do you know him? Are you one of his disciples, the people ask? But as we reflect on those cutting questions, we see that we are asked them often by observers in the courtyard of public opinion. Our co-workers, store attendants, advertisers, movie scriptwriters, and producers ask us those questions daily when they observe how we handle tough issues. The world asks those questions when culture shifts and demands that we adopt behavior that is clearly condemned in the scriptures. Politicians and business people ask us those questions when they offer us positions on boards and committees to compromise our conscience and prevent us from calling them out on certain policy positions. For Peter, the question was asked three times. His human fear of a potential harsh backlash forced him to deny the Lord he loved. What is your response when life asks the same?"