By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed.
John 15:8; 8:31

In today’s verses one senses how the Lord Jesus wished that those who surrounded Him should be committed to Him. Naturally, He wanted His fellow citizens to believe in Him and recognise that He was the Son of God, but His wish went further than that: He wanted true disciples, faithful and devoted to following Him.

This is a challenge for us, who have obtained salvation by faith. Let us not be content with being saved and assured of eternal life. Our Saviour expects us to be truly consecrated to His service. His desire is that we should bear fruit for Him, much fruit. That fruit might be people led to faith and salvation through our means. But it is also simply daily life lived in holiness and peace with devotion, behaviour making it clear that we are Christians. It is God’s pleasure to behold men and women on earth recognisable as being united with Jesus (cf. Acts 4:13).

Our second verse today gives us the key to attaining the ideal of this task. A good intention is not enough; we need to discern our Father’s will. This is where reading the Bible comes in. The living Word instructs us, corrects us and ensures spiritual health. Let us read this holy book daily to be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work” (Colossians 1:9.10).

Today’s reading: Exodus 9:17-35 · Luke 4:1-13