If You Love Me...

If You Love Me…

Text: John 14:15; 21:15–19 (NASB 1995)

Scripture Reading:

Introduction

Think about someone you love deeply—a spouse, a child, a close friend. Now imagine you could change one thing in your life to grow even closer to them. What would it be? Maybe you’d spend more time together, listen more attentively, or show your love in new ways.

I recently reflected on this in my own life. I thought about my wife, Shena, and how much I want to be a better husband. The more I love her, the more I want to know her, talk with her, and show her she’s valued. It’s the same with Jesus. The more we love Him, the more we want to be with Him—and the more we become like Him.

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” When He asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” three times in John 21, Peter’s response reshaped his life. Loving Jesus changes everything—how we read His Word, gather with His people, pray, and worship. Today, let’s explore how loving Christ more transforms us, just as it did Peter.

Background

To understand this call to love Jesus, we turn to two key moments in John’s Gospel. In John 14:15, Jesus teaches that loving Him leads to obedience, promising the Holy Spirit to empower His disciples. Later, in John 21:15–19, after Peter’s denial of Jesus, the risen Lord restores him. Three times, Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Each time, Peter affirms, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You,” and Jesus responds, “Tend My lambs… Shepherd My sheep.” This exchange transforms Peter’s failure into a life of faithful service, even unto death. Just as Peter’s love for Jesus reshaped his life, our love for Christ drives every aspect of Christian living. It begins with knowing Him through His Word.

If You Love Me, You Will Read About Him

Loving Jesus starts with a hunger to know Him, and there’s no better place than His Word. When you love someone, you want to learn everything about them. If you love Jesus, daily devotions, quiet times, and Bible studies become natural, not a chore. Try this: set a daily alarm for 10 minutes of reading—start with John’s Gospel to see Jesus’ life and love up close.

I’m reminded of my time in Basic Training at Lackland AFB. Every day, I couldn’t wait for mail call, eager to read letters from Mama, Shena, and my sister. I’d read them over and over because their love for me shone through every word. The Bible is God’s love letter to us. If we love Jesus, we’ll cherish His Word, reading it eagerly to hear His voice. But loving Christ doesn’t stop with reading about Him—it draws us to gather and hear about Him.

If You Love Me, You Will Enjoy Hearing About Him

If you love Jesus, you’ll want to hear about Him in worship, Sunday School, or Bible studies. It’s not about obligation—it’s about joy. I once heard about a man who claimed he could worship alone in his garden. His pastor quietly took a glowing coal from the fireplace and set it alone on the hearth. Soon, it turned to ash. The man said, “I get it—I can’t worship alone any more than I can live alone. I’ll be in church Sunday.” The church is where we grow together, fueled by our love for Christ. Teachers, musicians, and preachers must model this love, inspiring others to join in. Loving Christ draws us to hear about Him, but it also moves us to talk with Him and worship Him.

If You Love Me, You Will Talk to and Adore Him

Prayer is simply talking to Jesus—sharing your burdens, plans, and fears. How many of you talk to a loved one daily? That’s what prayer becomes when you love Jesus. As your love grows, your prayers shift to His concerns: His kingdom, His workers, His church. You begin to “pray without ceasing,” as Paul says.

But love doesn’t stop at talking—it leads to adoration. Worship isn’t just music or a service; it’s giving yourself to God in recognition of His worth. If you love Christ, you’ll sing praises, say “Amen,” or even raise your hands freely. This worship fuels evangelism. When you adore Jesus, you can’t help but share Him with others, just as Peter did when Jesus told him, “Tend My sheep.” Try this: share your faith with one person this week as an act of worship. Peter’s love led to service and sacrifice, as Jesus foretold in John 21:18–19. Our love for Christ leads to joyful obedience, transforming every part of our lives.

Conclusion

Loving Jesus transforms how we read His Word, gather to hear about Him, pray, and worship. It settles every question of Christian living, just as it did for Peter when Jesus asked, “Do you love Me?” So, let me ask you: Do you love Jesus? The world can tell by your life. Today, commit to love Christ more—through His Word, His church, prayer, and worship. Let’s bring that commitment to Him now.