16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Our verse for today is reminiscent of the Great Commission found in Matthew is it not? One of the Lord Jesus’ last Words to His disciples prior to His ascension was to “Go”. This Word is meant for modern day believers as well. We, like they, are to go forth in all of His authority and power producing eternal fruit for His glory and for our ultimate good:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
The Lord Jesus has placed a commission on all of His followers. He has divinely appointed all believers to bear fruit that will endure. We are not to dwell in idleness and mere self indulgence. We are not to be foolish rather we are to make the most of every opportunity for, Scripture says, “the days are evil”:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)
Furthermore, those who Christ appoints, through His power, do not labor in vain. Whatever “errand”- “mission” – “bidding” - we are sent on – which, I might add, are all of our encounters – even those we consider the most mundane or inconsequential - heaven is there to help. Whenever we come to the Father in prayer, in the mighty name of Jesus, we may obtain everything needful for our work. He has given us His Word. We will ever receive a constant supply of grace and help in our time of need through prayer. If our request is a denial, it is for a far greater yes – we can be sure of it – His denials being but disguised blessings. Like Daniel – highly esteemed by God - the moment we begin to earnestly pray, help is on the way:
20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill-- 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” Dan 9:20-23 (NIV)
“God wants us to trust Him, no matter what He does. There is a heavenly carelessness that leaves it all with Jesus and doesn’t become upset when He does things contrary to what we expected.” Vance Havner
“And so I thank Him from my heart, for what His love denies.” Fanny Crosby
Regarding our powerful Lord, the Jewish scholar Alfred Edersheim writes:
“He alone has exhibited a life in which absolutely no fault could be found; and promulgated a teaching to which absolutely no exception can be taken. Admittedly He is the One perfect Man – the ideal of humanity, His doctrine the one absolute teaching. The world has known none other, none equal.”
Interestingly, some of us may be called to witness in the bowels of an unknown land bringing the arms and hands and feet of Jesus to those who do not yet know Him. Some of us may be called to minister to the little ones God has place in our care – teaching them Truth and enabling them to grow as oaks of righteousness for the display of His splendor. Still others may be called in the workplace to flesh out our Lord to a needy and hurting world offering hope. The opportunities are as vast and as numerous as the stars in the sky – we need only to pray to have eyes to see and ears to hear and a will that desires obedience to walk in His ways. Humanity without Jesus and without hope is hurting. This is the essence of eternal fruit. Paul writes of every man’s condition that is separate from Christ in Ephesians:
12 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace.” Eph 2:12-14 (NIV)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)