#1491. Last Words ... On Being Sent (9/4/26)
- Matt Beaney
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. As we approach Easter, we are reflecting on some of Jesus’ final words from the Last Supper and the Upper Room Discourse in John’s Gospel.
Today, we consider how Jesus, in His last words, spoke about how we are sent, in His power, to share the Good News.
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1. Chosen and appointed to bear fruit
‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 1This is my command: Love each other.’ (John 15:16-17)
Jesus tells His disciples that they have been ‘chosen’ and ’appointed’. They’ve been chosen to belong to Christ, and He’s also appointed them for His mission - Like Christ, we’ve been ‘sent’:
‘As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.’ (John 17:18)
We are not only chosen for salvation; we are also chosen to bear lasting fruit. But what is this fruit? Calvin writes of this:
'This verse does not treat of the common election of believers but “of that special election by which He appointed His disciples to the office of preaching the Gospel.’
In this sense, the call to “go and bear fruit” points primarily to mission—the spreading of the gospel and the bringing of others to faith.
This connects with what Jesus teaches earlier about remaining in the vine (John 15:1–8). As we remain in Christ, we bear fruit—and in mission, we seek to bring others into that same life-giving union with Him. Our aim is to see people joined to the vine, so that they too will bear lasting fruit.
This happens through the message of the gospel, as Jesus later prays:
‘“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message…”’ (John 17:20)
2. Prayer flows from mission and makes us fruitful
Here, Jesus shows that prayer flows out of our going on mission. Having spoken of being chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit, He adds:
“…and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
This points to the vital role of prayer as we seek to share the gospel. Fruitfulness in mission is not achieved by our own strength or ability, but by the power of the Spirit working through prayer.
The success of our witness—any lasting fruit—is ultimately the result of God answering prayer.
As one commentary puts it:
‘The two purpose clauses (bearing fruit and answered prayer) are both saying the same thing, reminding the disciples that whatever success they may have in ‘bearing fruit’ in the course of their mission to the world is gained through answered prayer, and only through answered prayer.’ (New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Prayer, then, is not an optional extra in mission—it is essential. As we go, we must also pray, trusting that God alone brings the fruit.
3. Love is a key to fruitfulness in mission
In verse 17, Jesus reiterates His command to love one another. But why does He connect this command to fruitfulness in mission?
It is because we cannot expect to be effective in reaching others for Christ if our relationships are marked by division or lack of love. How can we proclaim a gospel of peace and reconciliation if we are not living at peace with one another?
Furthermore, love is essential for sustaining faithful mission. We need to encourage, support, and strengthen one another. A church that is not spurring one another on in love will struggle to bear lasting fruit.
As Jesus said earlier:
‘“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”’ (John 13:34-35)
Our love for one another is not only vital for our unity - it is a powerful witness to the world, and a key to fruitfulness in mission because ‘there the Lord commands a blessing’ (Psalm 133)!
4. The Spirit empowers our mission
We explored this in an earlier devotion titled ‘Jesus’ Last Words… On the Spirit.’ To reiterate, we need the Holy Spirit—both to empower us to share the gospel and to work in the hearts of those who hear it.
For example, what we read in John 15:
‘“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”’ (John 15:26-27)
The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and brings people to faith. As we share the gospel, it is the Spirit who applies its truth to the heart. How encouraging it is to know that as we testify, He also testifies - and it is His power that makes our small efforts fruitful.
The Spirit’s witness is carried out through our witness. While good works have their place, it is our clear and faithful testimony about Jesus that the Spirit uniquely and powerfully uses.
Response
When Jesus rose from the dead, we read:
‘…Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”’ (John 20:21-23)
As we reflect on Jesus’ final words, let us receive His peace and remember that we have been sent. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and empower us for this mission.
Let us also remember that we have been chosen and appointed to bear lasting fruit, especially in sharing the good news. So let us be a praying people, staying close to Jesus, that our lives may be fruitful.
And let us remain a loving church—pleasing to Jesus, supporting one another in the mission, and, above all, demonstrating to the world what He is like through our love for one another.
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