Jesus chose us first, and He gives us a purpose that bears lasting fruit.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”John 15:16 (KJV)
What does “Chosen” mean in John 15:16?
Jesus says He has chosen and appointed His followers, not the other way around. The word ordained means set in place or appointed for a task.
Going deeper
Many of us think of faith as something we decided on our own. Jesus gently turns that around: ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. Our choosing of Him follows His choosing of us. And He gives us a purpose: to go and bear fruit that lasts. It is a calling, not an accident.
The verse ends with a promise about prayer: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Praying in His name is not a magic phrase. It means asking in line with His character and purposes, as those who belong to Him. Consider what fruit you are being asked to bear, and ask the Father for what you need to do it. You are chosen, and you have been given something worthwhile to do.
Reflect
What lasting fruit might Jesus be calling you to bear, and what do you need to ask Him for?
Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing me. Show me the fruit You want me to bear, and give me what I need to do it. In Jesus' name, amen.
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