Read John 15:5-8 NIV
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
I love the last line of today’s verses: This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. Jesus has already said that if we want to bear fruit, we need to stay connected to him. Without him there is no fruit at all. But when we bear much fruit…that is God’s glory – the thing that brings him honor AND it is how the world knows who we are; that we belong to Jesus! His favor is upon us when we work to stay connected to Him and we bear fruit because of it! What a beautiful blessing that is for Jesus’ followers.
God,
Thank you for the beautiful blessing of being known by the fruit of being connected to you. Help us to crave your presence and provision in our lives so that the fruit we bear is abundant and brings you honor. We praise you for who you are and the way you cultivate our lives when we surrender them to you. We want to be where you are – growing in your love and correction. Amen.
