Do You Love Me?

Each of us can easily default to embarrassment, shame, and guilt when we do something wrong, and unless we turn to Christ, we can even begin to live there. Yes, we need to recognize our sinfulness, our brokenness, and our tendency to drift away from our loving Saviour. But a life lived in constant shame and guilt will lead us to live defeated, not to the victorious life we find in Christ.

This Sunday, as we walk through John 21:15–19, we’ll see Peter, who, just prior to Christ’s crucifixion, denied him three times. Now, standing before the resurrected Saviour, Peter is given the opportunity to do the opposite by confessing his love for Jesus, also three times.

This interaction shows us that Christ wasn’t looking to come down on Peter and shame him further, though that is often what we assume Jesus should do when we mess things up. We often expect to be left to carry the full weight and consequences of our failures for the rest of our lives, but following Jesus isn’t about achieving perfect performance and doesn’t align with who Jesus is. Rather, Christ restores us in love, just as we see him do with Peter, and he calls us once again to follow. And as we follow and love him, we will make him our ultimate pursuit, answer his call to serve him, and surrender ourselves to him.

Series: Real Love
Message 7: Do You Love Me?
Text: John 21:15-19
Patrice Charade
Harvest Alliston
May 24, 2026

The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms.
– Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly

When I follow Jesus and love him I…

…pursue him (v. 15a)

The main job of the Christian is to pursue.
– John Piper

…serve him (v. 15b-17)

John 10:15b

…surrender to him (v. 18-19)