Ann Arbor Community Church Sermon Podcast

Jesus' Enduring Questions - Simon, Son of John, Do You Love Me?

·42 min·4 clips

Why were Jesus' disciples hiding in a locked room, terrified of being crucified themselves?

This sermon concludes a Lenten series at Ann Arbor Community Church focused on Jesus' questions throughout the Gospels. Pastor Donnell preaches from John 21:15-19, where Jesus asks Peter 'Do you love me?' three times. He begins by setting the context: the disciples are in emotional turmoil after Jesus' crucifixion, hiding in a locked room out of fear. Jesus appears to them, says 'Peace be with you' twice, breathes the Holy Spirit on them, then leaves. The disciples return to fishing, their familiar work, where Jesus appears again at daybreak. He instructs them to cast their net on the right side, resulting in a miraculous catch of 153 fish. John recognizes Jesus, and Peter swims 90 meters ahead to reach him first. The pastor suggests Peter desperately wants to make things right after denying Jesus three times. Jesus then asks Peter three times 'Do you love me?' mirroring Peter's three denials. The sermon explores Jesus' emotional humanity, noting he was hurt by betrayal and abandonment. It contrasts Peter's earlier confidence with his post-resurrection realization of failure. The pastor explains that restoration requires more than quick forgiveness—it involves acknowledging wounds and rebuilding trust over time. He connects this to personal experiences of betrayal and reconciliation. The sermon concludes that the resurrected Jesus meets people wherever they are, offering hope without prerequisites.

As heard by us

A sermon on Peter's leap toward Jesus and the searching question that follows him to shore.

A Lenten sermon turns Peter's encounter with Jesus into a focused meditation on what a question can uncover. It follows the movement from failed fishing to a voice on the shore, the sudden haul of 153 fish, and John's recognition that the figure in the distance is the Lord.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when Peter's leap into the water turns into Jesus' question: Do you love me?

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