FOLLOWING JESUS FROM THE EDGES
BACK TO THE BEGINNING LOVE
Pastor Calvin Cook
April 22, 2026
Scripture:
“But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love—you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first…” Revelation 2:4–5 (AMP)
I am on a road trip (Tuesday-Wednesday) partly for business, partly for business, but with the miles I’m traveling for a couple days there is a lot of time of reflection. Listening to music, podcast, loving the Bible App that reads to me. Most of Tuesday has been centered on Ephesians, the call of Jesus upon my life, where I think the church is called to but mainly be reminded that if we have drifted away it is time to come back.
This morning during my prayer time my mind has drifted to Revelation 2 and the prophecy to the seven churches. Since recently my heart centered on Ephesians and with Ephesians being read to me from the Bible map. My heart has been called to Revelation 2:1-7 and the letter to the church of Ephesus. Not reading as the warnings of end times but about the wake up call to the people – to the church.
Since we are in Eastertide and have been speaking about post resurrection appearances while still teaching and calling the earlier followers – I want to offer a simple comparison for your thoughtful and prayerful consideration. (personal note to you: remember these devotionals are how I am hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me through grace and sharing some of the thoughts with you.)
After the resurrection, Jesus kept showing up. He showed up in locked rooms where fear had taken over. He showed up on dusty roads where confusion lingered. He showed up on the shoreline where people had gone back to what felt familiar.
And every time He showed up, His message was simple—but deeply personal:
“Peace be with you.”
“Do not be afraid.”
“Follow Me.”
“Do you love Me?”
That last one… “Do you love Me?” is somewhere between easy and hard to answer and is the one at least for me that lingers. Because when everything settled after the resurrection excitement—after the empty tomb, after the shock, after the celebration—Jesus didn’t just come to prove He was alive.
He came to restore relationship.
And that’s exactly what we see echoed in Revelation. “You have (left/lost) your first love…”
Not had it taken from you. Take some responsibility here – YOU left it or lost somewhere. The words are made very personal to us today – “You left it !”
And if we’re honest… that hits close to home. Because we know what it’s like to love Jesus deeply. We remember those moments—when faith was fresh, when prayer was real, when worship wasn’t routine but response.
But life happens. Responsibilities pile up. Working to make ends meet becomes priority. Faith becomes habit and routine. And somewhere along the way…we drift.
We might not drift away from Church. Not away from believing in God. But away from the depth of love we once had.
So what is the Jesus saying then and now? I mean right now you might be starting to make your list of excuses but seriously what is Jesus saying to all of us, His church, His people. And once again looking at Jesus meeting Peter on the shoreline (John 21) after the resurrection, not in front of a lot of people, but intimately, personally and directly. Jesus didn’t ask Peter:
“Did you preach well?”
“Did you stay busy?”
“Did you get everything right?”
“Why did you desert me?”
Jesus asked one thing three times: “Do you love Me?”
Because that’s the center. And in Revelation, Jesus gives us the way back:
Remember where you were
Repent (turn your heart back)
Return to what you did at first
It’s not complicated. But it is personal.
Today maybe, just maybe while we are standing at the edge of something while trying to follow Jesus trying to still be doing all the “right things” but still feeling distant. Being tired, worn down, and just going through the motions. Replacing your passion with the routine of life of just getting by.
Or maybe… you don’t even know or have realized you have drifted or when the drifting away happened.
Here’s the truth: Jesus is still showing up.
Not with condemnation.
Not with disappointment.
But with the same question: “Do you love Me?”
And the same invitation: “Come back.”
Not to a system. Not to performance. But to relationship.
Prayer: Lord, I hear Your words, and I know they are for me. Somewhere along the way, I’ve drifted. Not away from You completely… but away from the depth of love I once had. Help me remember. Help me turn back. Help me return—not to routine, but to relationship. Let me hear you ask “Do you love Me?” And give me the courage to answer with my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Thought
The risen Jesus is still walking into our ordinary days…still standing on our shorelines… And He’s not asking for perfection. He’s asking for your heart—again.
(note to first timers) If you for the first time are considering a relationship with Jesus, it is as simple as saying – Dear Lord Jesus – I surrender it all to you, I seek forgiveness for my sins and desire to be in relationship with you. In the name of Jesus – Amen.
Now allow the Holy Spirit to move and do the rest —-
Reach out to me or someone that will walk with you on this journey.
Thoughts from the Edges 
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