The Love of God: Do You Love Me?

John 21 is restoration.

Peter denied Jesus three times.

Now Jesus gives him three chances to affirm his love.

And the love of God is this: it restores the fallen.

The disciples go fishing

Peter decides to go fishing.

Six other disciples join him.

They fish all night and catch nothing.

Then Jesus appears on the shore and tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat.

They obey and catch 153 large fish.

The love of God provides abundantly when we obey.

Come and have breakfast

Jesus has prepared breakfast on the shore.

Bread and fish.

He invites them:

"Come and have breakfast."

This is fellowship.

This is restoration.

This is the resurrected Christ cooking for His disciples.

The love of God invites us to fellowship even after we have failed.

Do you love me?

After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times:

"Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Three denials. Three affirmations.

Each time Peter says, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Each time Jesus responds, "Feed my sheep."

The love of God restores those who have fallen and gives them purpose again.

Feed my sheep

Jesus does not merely forgive Peter.

He commissions him.

Feed my lambs.

Take care of my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

The love of God does not leave us in shame. It restores us to service.

Follow me

Jesus predicts that Peter will be martyred.

Then He says simply:

"Follow me!"

Peter asks about John.

Jesus responds:

"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

Do not compare your calling to others.

Do not worry about what God has planned for someone else.

The love of God calls each of us to follow Christ, and that is enough.

Final exhortation

The love of God in John 21 is this:

Christ restores the fallen.

He commissions the forgiven.

And He calls us to follow Him.

If you have denied Jesus, know that He still calls you.

If you have failed, know that He restores.

If you have wandered, know that He invites you back to fellowship.

Do you love Him? Then feed His sheep. And follow Him.

Closing prayer

Father, thank You for the love that restores. Thank You that failure is not final and that You commission those You forgive. Help us to love You, to feed Your sheep, and to follow Christ faithfully to the end. In Jesus' name, amen.