Today's Devotional

Lovest Thou Me?

April 26, 2026 ●

By Pastor Jerry A. Burns

John 21:15

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"

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Few moments in Scripture are as tender and searching as this conversation between Jesus and Peter by the sea. After the resurrection, Jesus met His disciples on the shore and shared a simple breakfast with them. But beneath the calm setting was a deep wound in Peter’s heart. Only days before, Peter had denied the Lord three times in the darkest hour of Christ’s suffering. Though forgiven, those failures must have weighed heavily on him. Now Jesus lovingly brings Peter face to face with the issue—not to shame him, but to restore him.

Three times Jesus asked, “Lovest thou me?” and three times Peter answered, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” Each question must have pierced Peter’s heart, especially because it mirrored his three denials. Jesus was not reopening old wounds to condemn him, but to heal him fully. Every repeated question was an opportunity for restoration. Where Peter had once denied with fear, he now confessed with love. Christ was teaching Peter that failure does not have to be the end when grace steps in.

Each time Peter answered, Jesus followed with a command: “Feed my lambs,” “Feed my sheep,” “Feed my sheep.” Love for Christ was to be the foundation of Peter’s ministry. Before preaching, before leadership, before responsibility—there must be love for the Lord. Service without love becomes empty duty. Ministry without love becomes performance. Jesus made it clear that shepherding God’s people must flow from a heart that truly loves the Shepherd.

There is also a beautiful depth in the Greek words used for love. Jesus first asks Peter using the word agape, speaking of sacrificial, unconditional love. Peter answers with phileo, a brotherly affection and personal devotion. It is as though Peter, humbled by his failure, hesitates to claim the highest form of love. By the third question, Jesus comes to Peter where he is, using phileo. Christ was not pushing Peter away but drawing him forward. He was stretching Peter toward deeper love and fuller surrender.

This passage reminds us that Jesus is not simply asking Peter the question—He asks it of every believer: “Lovest thou me?” Christianity is not first about activity, knowledge, or reputation. It is about love for Christ. If we truly love Him, we will follow Him, obey Him, and care for what He cares about. Love is proven in faithfulness. Jesus wanted Peter to understand that the road ahead would include suffering, sacrifice, and even martyrdom, but love for Christ would sustain him through it all.

Did this devotional speak to you?

Application

The Lord still asks His people today, “Lovest thou me?” Not, “Are you busy?” or “Are you talented?” but “Do you love Me?” Our service, teaching, giving, and ministry all begin there. Examine your heart today. Is your Christian life driven by duty alone, or by genuine love for Christ? Let your failures drive you to restoration, not despair. The same Savior who restored Peter stands ready to restore you.

Victory Verse

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" — Job 19:25

Additional Verses

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

"Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly."

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

"This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."

Daily Scripture Reading

Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.

Standard Plan

Mixed Plan

Chronological Plan

1 Samuel 10-12

Luke 19:1-27

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

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This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.

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