For the Tired Disciple
by: Julia Holmes
June 4, 2025
“Do you love me more than these?...Do you love me?...Do you love me?”
When was the last time you confessed your love to Jesus—not just through your good works, but with words that reflect the true condition of your heart? Does Jesus have all your affection and devotion? Maybe He once did, but now you’re more familiar with the idea of loving Jesus than with the daily rhythm of receiving and returning His love like breathing in and out.
Ongoing to-do lists. A calendar with no room left. The feeling of being rushed, overwhelmed, or like you’re never doing enough—but having no idea how to do more. Avoiding decisions because true peace feels out of reach. And still, coffee meetups to talk about God’s goodness, worship music in the background, attending church events, opening your Bible for a quick moment while downing your morning coffee, and praying around the dinner table.
Tired disciple, there is good news: Jesus has a fresh love exchange waiting for you—for us.
Let’s turn to John 21:1–17 (English Standard Version). Peter and a few other disciples decided to go fishing at night. We don’t know their exact motivation. Maybe they feared the unknown and wondered how they’d provide for themselves. Maybe they were restless waiting for Jesus to appear again. Or maybe they lost sight of their renewed purpose—to be “fishers of men,” as Jesus had earlier called them (Matthew 4:19, ESV).
How easy it is for us to fall into these same patterns as we try to work out our faith in our own strength.
Despite their best efforts, they caught nothing that night—until Jesus showed up. He had already prepared a fire on the beach to share breakfast with them. Instead of shaming them for their failure, He provided abundantly and invited them to dine with Him. That same invitation still stands for us today.
But the beauty of Jesus’ heart doesn’t end there. In front of the other disciples, Jesus has a deeply personal conversation with Peter—the very one who denied Him three times before the crucifixion. Instead of shaming him, Jesus asked three questions:
Three denials. Three invitations to affirm his love. Rather than pointing to Peter’s failure, Jesus invited him to confess his love publicly.
Consider that first question: Do you love Jesus like He’s your first love? Then the repeated question: Do you love Jesus? Do you adore Him—not just follow Him out of obligation?
Jesus responded by restoring Peter’s purpose and reputation. He addressed Peter’s heart, not his actions. That’s still Jesus’ posture toward us today. He cares more about our hearts—what fills them and flows from them—than what we do outwardly. He wants us to live fully consumed by His love and to love Him deeply in return.
Will you lay down your busyness, weariness, and hurriedness to sit with Jesus and receive a fresh exchange of love? The invitation is always open. His extravagant love is ready to pour out over you.
Worship: Jesus We Love You (Reprise)
Prayer
Jesus, I love You. Search my heart and reveal anything I’ve placed before You. Nothing compares to Your love. I ask for a fresh revelation of Your heart—for me and for others. Thank You, Jesus, for Your precious blood, Your comforting Spirit, and the hope of Your return for Your Bride. Make me the Bride You are returning for. Amen.
Further Study
Hosea 2:14–20, Matthew 11:28–30, 1 Peter 5:7, Revelation 19:6–9
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The things in my world, my house, land, and possessions, are so temporal. None of them will be my companion on the final ship out of here. Nothing I own can comfort my heart, fill me with peace, or rescue me in times of trouble. So, what am I afraid of? Sometimes, challenges come to reveal the true treasures of our heart and help us understand what’s truly important. God’s ability to prioritize is unique and revelatory. He sees both the intentions of our heart and the priorities.