After failure, hesitation, and regret, what does restoration look like? At the end of the Gospel of John, Jesus meets Peter on the shore and asks him a piercing question: “Do you love Me?” It’s not meant to shame him. It’s meant to restore him. In this final passage of John, we see that following Jesus without hesitation begins with an honest look at the condition of our hearts. As we conclude our 18-month verse-by-verse study through John, we are reminded why this Gospel was written: that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in His name (John 20:30–31). In John 21:15–25, Jesus confronts Peter’s three denials with three loving questions. He distinguishes between a natural, brotherly love and a supernatural, self-sacrificing love. Peter answers honestly, and in that honesty, Jesus restores him and recommissions him: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Follow Me.” This passage presses three critical questions into our lives: - What kind of love do you have for Jesus? - Will you follow Jesus if it costs you everything? - Are you growing in your love, capacity, and commitment? Jesus not only restores Peter, He tells him that following faithfully will eventually cost him his life. And Peter follows anyway. The man who once denied Christ becomes the preacher of Acts 2, boldly proclaiming the Gospel as thousands are saved. He becomes the shepherd who exhorts others to care for the flock of God. Restoration led to growth. Growth led to fruitfulness. The same is true for us. Jesus is patient with our failures, but He calls us forward. He invites us to stop comparing our calling to others and to focus on one simple command: “You follow Me.” A fruitful life is found not in hesitation, but in wholehearted surrender. If you are in the Arroyo Grande area, we would love to invite you to join us at Harvest Church as we continue growing in God’s Word, worshiping Jesus, and walking in authentic Christian community. Whether you are new to faith, returning to church, or looking to go deeper in your discipleship, there is a place for you here. Join us Sundays at 9am & 11am. For more information, visit www.agharvest.org. This message is part of our ongoing Bible teaching ministry at Harvest Church, where we are committed to verse-by-verse study, Christ-centered preaching, and clear expository preaching that equips people for following Jesus faithfully in everyday life.