What Jesus Did! 'No Longer Servants!' — John 15:15-17

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

"I don't call you servants now. A servant does not know what his master is doing. But now I call you friends because I have told you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and make fruit. I want this fruit to continue {in your life}. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. This is my command: Love each other."
— John 15:15-17 NLT
Illustration of John 15:15-17 NLT — "I don't call you servants now."

Key Thought

What is lasting fruit? In this context, Jesus wants his disciples to know that lasting fruit is loving one another. It is the theme that he repeatedly emphasizes in his last words with his disciples. While many other things are important, they will vanish, decay or die. Love, however, remains—it abides, it lasts. Death cannot separate us from God's love. Love is stronger than death. So Jesus beckons his disciples to this deeper relationship. They are no longer his servants, but his friends. As his friends, they know what is on the Father's heart and they are committed to displaying the Father's priority in their own lives. They will love each other!

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, fill my heart with your love through your Holy Spirit that dwells in me. Motivate me to share that love with your children. Give me the courage to love others sacrificially like you have loved me. Help me produce fruit that will abide through all eternity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 13:33-35
  • 1 John 4:7-8
  • 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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