"John 15:1-16:4
Testify about Jesus
There is nothing more important and no greater privilege in life than to be a friend of Jesus. Jesus says, ‘You are my friends … I no longer call you servants … you are my friends’ (vv.14–15).
Having Jesus as your friend allows you to tackle the giants in your life, in the church and in society from a unique standpoint.
Personal
Jesus tells us that there are two secrets of Christian fruitfulness.
First, there is pruning (15:1–2). The purpose of pruning is so that you can bear even more fruit. Pain, sorrow, sickness and suffering, loss, bereavement, disappointment and frustrated ambition are some of the ways our lives are pruned.
John Stott comments, ‘To the uninitiated it looks very cruel. Sometimes only a stump is left – naked, jagged, scarred, mutilated – to face the storms and the cold of the winter. But when the spring and summer return, there is much fruit. The sharp pruning knife has after all brought a blessing.’
The second secret of fruitfulness is closeness to Jesus (v.4). We cannot take on the giants by ourselves. Jesus says, ‘When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing’ (v.5, MSG). We will only succeed in tackling the giants if we stay close to Jesus.
We need to cultivate a growing friendship (vv.14–15) with Jesus by spending time with him, and praying and listening to him through his word.
Jesus says that if you stay close to him (‘remain in him’) three things will happen in terms of fruitfulness. First, your prayers will be answered (v.7). Second, God will be glorified (v.8). Third, your joy will be complete and overflowing (v.11, AMP).
Church
There are massive giants facing the church today. The biggest giant is disunity. Disunity will only be overcome by love. Jesus said, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends … This is my command: Love each other’ (vv.12–13,17).
Society
Jesus warns us that we will face the giant of a world that hates us (vv.18–19). He says, ‘If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also’ (v.20). He says, ‘Those who kill you will think they are offering a service to God’ (16:2). There are parts of the world where this is literally true today. But Jesus warns us that, wherever we are, we should expect opposition, hatred and even persecution.
On our own we would have no answers but Jesus says, ‘When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify’ (15:26–27). The Holy Spirit enables you to testify about Jesus and to take on these giant challenges, to see our society transformed.
Lord, thank you for all your promises in this passage: that you love me; that I can be lastingly fruitful in you; that you give me joy; and that you call me your friend. Thank you that you promise to answer my prayers.
Help me to love others as you have loved me. Thank you that you have given me the Counsellor, the Spirit of Truth, to live within me."
1. Thank You for always taking my giants, for praying for me when you feel that I need you.
2. Thank You for the church. This is family.
3. Thank You for a fantastic entertainment to end the day!
