Today’s Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 30
Revelation 16
Zechariah 12:1-13:1
John 15
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
John 15:8 (CSB): “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Last night (Wednesday), Kim and I had some friends over for an evening of fun. During our time together, I pulled out my telescope. I located the “Christmas Star” in the night sky, and then the moon. My telescope isn’t anything to write home about but we could see the ring around Saturn, 3 moons around Jupiter, and craters on the moon.
As the adults and children peered into the eyepiece, they couldn’t help but say, “Wow!” It was simply spectacular to get a closer look at those bodies in our night sky.
Now, let me ask you a question: Did the moon, or Saturn, or Jupiter change in any way when we looked at them in a telescope? Of course not. They remained the same. The telescope simply allowed us to experience them in an even more powerful way.
That is how we understand what it means to glorify God.
John 15:8 (CSB): “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.”
We cannot possibly make God any better than He already is. He is infinitely perfect. So, when we glorify Him, we aren’t adding anything to Him. We are simply experiencing Him, and encouraging others to experience Him, in a more powerful way (just like looking through a telescope).
So, according to John 15:8, what brings glory to God? Simply put, when we “produce fruit.” That means that when others look at us, they observe that we are giving evidence to the fact that God lives within us and it shows in everything about us.
While they may not be a Jesus-follower, or even believe in God, they acknowledge that there is something about us that makes us different, in a very good way. They acknowledge that we are people of integrity. We forgive when others hold onto grudges. We sacrifice when others are self-centered. We demonstrate peace when others are anxious. On and on we could go of how Jesus makes a difference in the lives of those who are abiding in Him. This is the “fruit” we bear.
But I want you to look back at our verse one more time. There’s something I want you to see.
John 15:8 (CSB): “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.”
While God is infinitely glorious and we can add nothing more to Him, it is also true that we are the telescope through which others can experience Him more powerfully. Whether or not we are bearing the fruit of being a Jesus-follower will determine whether or not others see God in His wonder and glory.
So, when people look at you, and observe everything about you, does it cause them to think about the Lord and how wonderful He is? Does it move unbelievers to consider that the Lord just might be what their heart is craving? In other words, do you glorify the Father by producing much fruit? I sure hope so.
Passionately following and obeying Jesus isn’t a personal thing. It was never intended to be strictly personal. We may be the only “Jesus” that some people will ever see. So, let them see Him in us and let that move them toward a relationship with our Father. This glorifies Him.
Matt’s Musings 