Do You Love Me? - The Question Communion Asks

Summary

This communion service is built around one question Jesus asked Peter three times beside the sea: "Do you love Me?" (John 21). The preacher reminds us this question is addressed not only to Peter but to each of us by name - put your own name in his place. At the Lord's table we remember the love Christ showed, the price He paid, and the hope He gives, and we answer Him from the heart.

The message leads us to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 12), where Jesus loved to be. Each of them showed love differently: Martha served, Lazarus simply stayed near, and Mary poured out costly perfume. We love Jesus, who is now in heaven, in the same ways - by serving His people, by being with Him, and by worshiping Him. Such service flows not from earning rewards but from a heart overflowing with gratitude for all He has done.

Through the parable of the two debtors (Luke 7), the one forgiven more loves more - and that is our story, for much has been forgiven us. Having taken the bread and the cup, the church is urged from 1 Peter 3:11 not to relax like a runner at the finish line, but to keep turning from evil, doing good, and pursuing peace in the week ahead.

Key Points

• Jesus' question "Do you love Me?" is deeply personal - put your own name where Peter's stood.
• Communion is remembering the love Christ showed and the price He paid for us.
• We show our love for Jesus by serving others, abiding with Him, and worshiping Him.
• Like Martha in the kitchen, true service flows from love, not from trying to earn a reward.
• Like Mary's costly perfume, real love does not count the cost - we often measure love by what we give.
• The more we grasp how much we are forgiven, the more we love, as the two debtors show.
• After communion, keep doing good and pursuing peace - don't coast like a runner past the finish line.