What Did Jesus Mean in John 15:16?

HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THE WORDS OF JESUS IN JOHN 15:16?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

John 15:16 says "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." (NKJV).

PASSAGE OUTLINE

This text is part of Jesus' address to His disciples in John 15:9-17 but more significantly, a critical portion of His message that runs through the entire chapter of John 15. 

Jesus first uses the metaphor of the Vine to illustrate His relationship with His followers [John 15:1-8]. His followers are inextricably intertwined with Him, drawing from the nourishment of His word and the leading of His Spirit.

The second passage [John 15:9-17] outlines His relationship with God the Father which He says is founded on divine love and obedience. Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father and submitted to His perfect will concerning Him. He came as God incarnate in order to fulfill God's divine purposes through the redemption plan that was fulfilled under the finished works of the cross. 

This relationship with the Father is cascaded to His disciples and followers. They are to love one another. This is the sacrificial brotherly love that is a reflection of God's love for us. It seeks nothing in return (cf. Luke 6:27-36). 

The third passage [John 15:18-25] cautions believers about the hatred that this evil world harbours against Jesus Christ and His followers. A true follower of Jesus will face scorn, ridicule, open hostility and persecution from the agents of Satan, the ruler of this wicked world. They should however not despair but look to Him who went before us, having suffered and overcome this world. 

The closing passage of  John 15:26-27 speaks of the witness of the Holy Spirit who will be sent by the Father. His ministry will complement that of the disciples. 

Let us now turn to our Scripture of context of John 15:16. What did Jesus mean by this statement? 

TEXT ANALYSIS

I would propose two ways by which to exposit this text. 

First, I would consider our response to the calling of God in Christ as an extension of God's prior calling of us as believers. While this is not explicitly mentioned in the text, my view is that it is inescapably implied. No one can serve God unless they are first called by God into a loving covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.

The second context relates to the gist of the statement -  the commissioning of believers to Christian service. This can be naturally deduced from the text and the entire passage of John 15. Jesus was preparing His disciples for ministry. He knew that He won't be with them for long. It was important that they understood the joys and perils that awaited them in the ministry. 

Both dimensions are significant in outlining our relationship with Jesus Christ and our devotion and service to Him.

In our past sinful state, we had no capacity to discern the things of God and make a rational choice for obedience. When the revelation of God was proclaimed to us through the gospel and we came to Christ, our spiritual eyes were opened and the burden of our Christian witness was more profoundly evident to us. It is instructive that Jesus first loved us and died for us while we were yet sinners [Romans 5:8). 

God therefore calls sinners through the gospel, transforms them and assigns them to ministry. We should heed His exhortations even as we serve Him.

The message of the cross is His divine instrument. It is His voice that calls for our obedience and diligence. 

In the context of the above passage, Jesus confirmed that He had called and appointed His disciples into ministry. Jesus called each disciple in person and by name. Each disciple had a specific role during Christ's earthly ministry. Their primary calling was however tied to the preaching of the kingdom message. 

These roles were later expanded as the gospel spread beyond Jerusalem. 

A number of the disciples were assigned missionary work even as others took on apostolic oversight responsibilities for the growing churches. Some receded into obscurity and little is known about them beyond the narratives in the Gospels. Others, such as apostle James paid the ultimate price - they were martyred for their faith (cf. Acts 12:1-2). 

A few disciples such as Matthew, Mark, Paul, John and Peter wrote the New Testament Scriptures that are available to us today. These writings are a testimony to the diligence and enduring faith.

The final section of John 15:16 says "...that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

Why did Jesus mention this statement and what does it imply in this context? 

Jesus sought to demonstrate that there is a connection between Christian obedience and service and God's providence. His disciples would pray the Father in His name and the Father would lovingly grant their petitions according to His divine will [cf. Matthew 6:9-15, Luke 11:5-13]. 

Our relationship with God is the foundation of our divine providence in Christ Jesus.

The key issue here is that ministry can only succeed under God's divine providence. We require resources and God's enabling grace in order to advance the gospel effort to new frontiers. We depend on God to supply our needs in line with His will concerning us. The cautions outlined in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, James 4:1-6 are instructive in this context. 

Jesus calls, empowers and sends His disciples. He also provides for them so that they may accomplish His divine purposes in Christ Jesus. 

APPLICATION

What moral lesson can we learn from the lives and ministries of the New Testament disciples and apostles in the context of the words of Jesus in John 15:16?

First, those who are called to Christ are also called to Christian service. No believer is without a ministry service mantle. No matter what role or activity one is assigned in ministry, that remains their stewardship platform. Their diligence, fervency and patience will be evaluated in that context. Every believer's work will ultimately be tested by God to determine its substance and integrity [1 Corinthians 3:5-17]

As we serve God in church ministry, we should be aware of God's expectations concerning our service. We must demonstrate fruit for our diligence and labor. Notice that Jesus commissioned the disciples and commanded them to bear fruit. This fruit must remain or endure. It must be consistent and evident in our labor in the Lord. 

Secondly, we should not abuse our Christian stewardship for personal gain or seek personal acclaim for our privileged positions of ministry (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2). We are all accountable to God for the discharge of our ministry calling [cf. Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30].

Instead we should expend our resources, skills and opportunities in serving God in our generation to the glory of God. 

We are today privileged to read the historical accounts of great men and women of God whose service to God remains unparalleled over the ages. The heroes and heroines listed in Hebrews 11 are merely examples of those who stood out for God in their day and demonstrated that serving and honoring God is never in vain.

Nothing that we do for God is ever forgotten. 

The Bible proclaims in Hebrews 6:10-12 "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." 

CONCLUSION

We serve God at His divine pleasure and in accordance with His divine will. We should therefore consider our calling in ministry [by whatever description] as a privilege for serving God with faithfulness and diligence so that the fruit of our service may edify the saints and glorify God. 

There is a reward for our diligence. It is never in vain.

The Bible exhorts in 1 Peter 5:2-4: "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." 

Are you bearing fruit? 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021