What Jesus Did! 'Freed to Love' — John 15:15-17

Sunday, October 9, 2022

[Jesus continued,] "I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other."
— John 15:15-17 NLT

Key Thought

What is "lasting fruit"? In this context, Jesus wants his disciples to know that lasting fruit includes loving one another. Love is a primary theme that the Lord 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. [1] Death cannot separate us from God's love. Love is stronger than death. So Jesus commands his disciples to have this deeper relationship. They are not his slaves, 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! Jesus' command - not his suggestion, his command [2] - to love each other applies to us just as it did to the early disciples.

[1] 1 Corinthians 13:8.
[2] John 15:17.

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 as 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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Illustration

Illustration of John 15:15-17 NLT — This is my command: Love each other.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

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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