Do You Love Me? Asking the question While Following Jesus From the Edges.

Do You Love Me?

Following Jesus From the Edges

Pastor Calvin Cook

April 11, 2026

John 21:17 — “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’”

 I was listening to a podcast yesterday as I traveled, and one simple statement has stayed with me:

“We want to have the best life possible, but we don’t want to do anything to experience that.”

That thought didn’t leave me. It followed me into prayer. It followed me into reflection. And this morning, it met me again in Scripture.

As I’ve been spending time in the Gospel of John, I found myself once more on that shoreline in chapter 21—the place where the risen Jesus appears to His disciples. A familiar place. A fishing boat. A charcoal fire. Breakfast by the water.

And yet… they didn’t recognize Him at first.

Isn’t that true for us sometimes? Jesus is near. Jesus is present. Jesus is working.

And still—we struggle to recognize Him.

But then comes the moment. Recognition breaks through. Peter rushes to shore. And Jesus asks the question—not once, not twice, but three times: “Do you love me?”

By the third time, Peter is hurt. Not angry—hurt. Exposed. Confronted. Brought face to face with his own heart.

And his response is simple, honest, and raw: “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

That line stopped me this morning.

Because if Jesus knows all things… then He knows how we love Him. Not just what we say. Not just what we feel. But how we live!

We say we want the best life—the full life, the abundant life, the life found in Christ. But do our lives reflect a love for Him?

Love for Jesus is not proven in words alone. It is lived out.

•             In prayer when no one is watching

•             In Scripture when we choose to listen

•             In worship that is more than routine

•             In acts of service, mercy, and kindness

•             In loving our neighbor—even when it’s hard

•             In caring for those who are hurting

This is where grace becomes convicting. Because the same Jesus who loves us fully…

also sees us fully. And so the question comes to us—not in condemnation, but in invitation:

“Do you love me?” Not out of habit. Not out of obligation. Not just when life falls apart. But with a heart that is open… a mind that is willing… and a life that is surrendered.

As we prepare our hearts for worship, may we not come just to receive something— but to offer something. A life that answers honestly: “Yes, Jesus… I love You.” And not just with our words—but with the way we live.

 Prayer:  Lord, You know all things. You know my heart. You know where my love is strong and where it is lacking. Draw me deeper—not just into words, but into a life that reflects love for You. Teach me to love You through my actions, my obedience, and the way I love others. Prepare my heart for true worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.