Peter's performance in front of the council offers him a chance to atone for his denial just a few weeks ago. Then he was silent, today he speaks boldly. And the only thing that changes the results is "the people" who cried for crucifixion last time but this time cause the council to fear.
So often, the results of our faithfulness to God are dependent on so many things besides our faithfulness. Sometimes we make a great difference when we speak up, sometimes we don't. But we are still asked to speak boldly - trusting in God's grace and "the people" in all their flighty-ness to help bring about the Kingdom.
But I find comfort in the fact that Peter got a second chance to do the right thing in this reading. Because I certainly chicken out of doing God's will often enough. And somehow, as in this chapter, I usually find I get another chance to do the right thing. I can't undo my previous unfaithfulness, or the consequences of it, but God gives me an opportunity to try again and get it right.
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