A fair question

Before Jesus death he had been preparing the disciples the time would come when he would be leaving and going away from them.
They really didn’t fully understand what he was telling them, and I would imagine his patience was tested a time or two by their behavior when he taught them so often only to have them not understand.
There was one specific time when Jesus focused on Peter.
Knowing his heart already, Jesus desire was to not only test his heart response but to teach him.
Remembering when he was in the garden and he was being real with them and asked for some support from them, “stay up with me and pray.”
When he returned he found them sleeping and not supporting him at all.
It must have been a lonely place for him, emotionally.
Jesus was very much aware of the agony of the cross and his heart and spirit was weighted heavy with the knowing, of the flogging, the torture, the weight of the wooden cross he would carry and most of all the isolation and separation from his Father.
I imagine his heart was heavy when he looked at the disciples who he had learned to love and knew he must say good-bye.
He focused on Peter one evening and said to him,
“Peter you will deny knowing me three times after my death.”
Upon hearing this Peter flat out disbelieved him. He said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even die with you.”
Jesus said,  “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Now we can’t blame Peter for being brave and promising.
Wouldn’t we all say the same?
I won’t ever deny you Lord, yet when the pressure comes and we are asked the question.
If our answer would mean life or death to us, what would we all say?
It is a very fair question to sit with.
As we move closer to the Easter story let us challenge ourselves to think of our response.