Do you love God

There’s a moment in John 21 that speaks deeply to anyone who’s ever failed, doubted, or wrestled with guilt. It’s the moment when Jesus, after rising from the dead, comes back not with condemnation—but with breakfast and a conversation.

He meets Peter, the same disciple who had denied Him three times. And what does He do? He makes sure Peter knows—by experience—that forgiveness is real.

And maybe that’s where you are right now: not struggling to believe that God forgives in general, but wondering if He could really forgive you.

The Weight We Carry

We live in a world that functions on performance. Do well, get rewarded. Fail, face rejection. So we often apply that same thinking to God.

Peter had failed—and spectacularly. This is the man who boldly proclaimed he would die for Jesus, but when pressed by a servant girl, denied he even knew Him. Not once. Not twice. Three times. Imagine the guilt. The shame. The inner voice saying, “I blew it. God can’t use me now.”

And yet, Jesus doesn’t write Peter off. He goes to him. He recreates a scene—a miraculous catch of fish—and draws Peter back to the memory of his calling. But this time, the net doesn’t break. It holds strong. A symbol, perhaps, that the Church can carry the weight of everyone. No one is too far gone.

Living Without What We Need

There are many things in life we take for granted until they’re gone. Breath. Water. Food. We don’t think about them until we can’t access them.

Forgiveness is the same. Many live spiritually dehydrated, weighed down by guilt, shame, or failure—not because forgiveness isn’t available, but because they’ve learned to live without it. They’ve accepted the pain. Adjusted to the distance.

But Jesus doesn’t want that for us.

He came, as John 10:10 reminds us, to give life—abundant life. That means walking in the freedom of forgiveness every single day. That means looking Jesus in the eye and hearing, “You’re clean. You’re restored. Let’s get back to work.”

Do You Love Me?

Jesus asks Peter one question—three times: “Do you love me?”

Not: “Do you regret it?”

Not: “Will you never do it again?”

Not even: “Are you ready to work for me?”

Just: “Do you love me?”

And each time, Peter says yes. Jesus’ response? “Then feed my sheep.”

Loving Jesus and serving Him are inseparable. Forgiveness isn’t just about wiping your slate clean. It’s about restoration to purpose.

Many of us come to church for what we can receive—forgiveness, comfort, hope. But Jesus calls us beyond that. He calls us to serve. To care. To feed His sheep. Not because we must, but because we love Him.

Sheep Are Messy—and Worth It

Feeding sheep isn’t glamorous. Anyone who’s cared for animals knows they bite, wander, and make messes. People aren’t so different.

But when we love Jesus, we love what He loves—and He loves His people.

Serving others may not feel rewarding in the moment. But it’s not about instant gratification. It’s about becoming like the Shepherd, and one day hearing His voice say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

From Consumer to Caretaker

Church isn’t meant to be a drive-through for spiritual snacks. It’s a place where we’re equipped to serve. Whether you’re a visitor in Rome or a longtime believer, there’s something you can do to build the Kingdom. You don’t need to be an expert. Just willing.

We all have something we love. Something we talk about, share, and want others to enjoy. When we love Jesus like that, serving Him becomes a joy—not a burden.

It’s About Love

Jesus didn’t ask Peter for perfect behavior. He asked for love.

And if we love Him, we’ll care about what He cares about. We’ll serve, even when it’s messy. We’ll forgive, even when it’s hard. We’ll go to those walking with a death sentence and offer them life.

Because that’s what someone did for us.

Peter, who once said, “I don’t know Him,” later wrote these words:

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care… not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be… And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

—1 Peter 5:2–4

So, What About You?

Do you love Jesus?

Then feed His sheep.

It won’t always be easy. It may not be glamorous. But it is a joy. A calling. A sign of real love.

And one day, when the Chief Shepherd returns, we’ll hear the words we long for most:

“Well done.”