Daily Devotions
John
John 15:1-17 "CLOSING WORDS ON THE SUBJECT OF BEARING FRUIT"
Day 222 – John 15
CLOSING WORDS ON THE SUBJECT OF BEARING FRUIT
Jesus had spoken much about the subject of fruit-bearing. He then masterfully drew the subject of fruit-bearing to a fitting close with these words.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you
and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit,
and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask
the Father in My Name He may give you.
These things I command you, that you love one another.”
John 15:16-17
Jesus ended His teaching on the subject of fruit-bearing on just as profound a note as when He commenced teaching it.
“YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU…”
What a significant thought this was! Did the Disciples not choose to follow Jesus? But of course they did! Why then did Jesus say what He did?
Let us remember the context in which Jesus spoke! He spoke about being very fruitful in life and ministry! Yes, the Disciples chose to follow Him as His Disciples. However to be very realistic, their choosing of Jesus did not have the same significance as His choosing of them as His Disciples. The focus of attention here was not the issue of salvation but the question of fruitfulness! The issue at stake was “significance” in the word “choose”.
1. The Disciples’ Choosing of Jesus
Their choosing to follow Jesus was merely a response. It was not able to effect fruitfulness at all. They could not determine and guarantee that they would be fruitful in their life and ministry!
2. Jesus’ choosing of the Disciples
There was a great difference when Jesus chose His Disciples. He had a definite plan in mind. He would train and equip them to become fishers of men. He had the authority to empower them for life and ministry. He also had power to ensure that they would become fruitful in both life and ministry.
Thus the Disciples need not be worried about whether they would ever be truly fruitful. They may not feel very confident in themselves, but that is not the point! Jesus gave a new slant to their calling. The important thing was to focus on the meaning and the power behind their calling!
What a wondrous dimension of thought Jesus opened up! Even as He spoke, the courage of the Disciples must have been greatly boosted. They must train themselves to focus on Jesus and not on their feelings!
“I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT”
It had been all of three years since Jesus called each one of His Disciples to follow Him. They would never forget how each one of them first met Jesus. The calling He gave to each one seemed so simple and straightforward. He simply said, “Follow Me”. But even then, there was compelling power in those words!
The Disciples had a taste of the power of Jesus in the short stints of ministry that they were sent to perform. He had empowered them to cast out demons and to heal those who were sick (Matthew 10:1). But in the main, Jesus did most of the work. The task of the Disciples was to observe and to learn all they could from their association with Jesus.
Now, Jesus gave them an important insight as to why He had called them. He had chosen them and had also appointed them to bear fruit! If they would only abide in Him, in His Word and in His love – they would bear fruit indeed! There was absolutely no reason for them to fear being fruitless.
“AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN…”
Not only was that the promise of being able to bear fruit, Jesus added another word of encouragement! The fruit that they would bear would last! Their ministry would not just be a flash in the pan. Their ministry would be fruitful, and for years to come, their ministry would last! What a tremendous word of encouragement indeed!
“THAT WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME HE MAY GIVE YOU”
Once again, Jesus brought up the subject of prayer. Though there is a personal guarantee that there will be fruit in their life and ministry, the Disciples must take nothing for granted! They must ever set aside time to pray!
They must learn to commune with the Father in Heaven in all matters relating to their life and ministry, as Jesus had shown them! It was vital that they learned to relate to their Heavenly Father well.
As they prayed, they must learn how to plead in the matchless Name of their Saviour! He was their Teacher, their Saviour… and their Friend too! They must keep seeking to improve and deepen their prayer life. They must seek to grow in confidence, pleading the mighty Name of Jesus!
“THESE THINGS I COMMAND YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER”
Another solemn reminder was deemed necessary! The Disciples must not forget that they are ONE in the Lord. They must not forget the bond of love that now characterizes all the Disciples of Jesus. He had given them many commandments, but He wanted to give further emphasis on the Christ-like love that He had been emphasizing to them all along.
With these deep and profound thoughts, Jesus neatly brought an end to His teaching on bearing fruit! How these words must have deepened the joy of the Disciples!