Tuesday 25 August 2026
- Bible Book:
- John
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." (vs 7-8)
Background
Today we have such a short couple of verses, but there's so much that feels difficult and uncomfortable. I first read this as a teenager and now 50 years later there is still no Ferrari on my driveway. Neither is there world peace.
There has to be a more nuanced reading of these verses than an appeal to enlightened self-interest. It is easy to miss the conditional aspect of these verses (particularly as a teenager, reading quickly who would like a Ferrari). The initial word – 'if' – is doing a lot of heavy lifting. We must meet two conditions of discipleship, the first is abiding in Jesus, or to paraphrase, having faith in Jesus. The second is making sure that the teaching of Jesus influences and changes us, his words abide in us. When these conditions are met the potential of the promise being fulfilled becomes a reality.
These verses, in their use of the conditional ‘if’, drill to the heart of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus. It is a reminder that we live in a relationship with God shaped by faith, and it is a reminder that we are transformed in our values, our thinking and our wishes as we make real our faith. Discipleship is dynamic, relational and transformative. We never lose who we are, but we become something new. Discipleship for each of us is different.
To Ponder:
- What is the fruit we long to have in our lives? Paul gives us a list in Galatians 5:22–23 – the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Is there anything else you would add?
- What do we need to do to encourage the fruit of the Holy Spirit that isn’t part of our natural way of being? This change is the challenge of transformation. In what ways is transformation necessary, and how can we help to make transformation a change for the whole community?
Bible notes author: The Revd Malcolm Peacock
The Revd Peacock is Superintendent Minister of the Mid Glamorgan Mission Circuit. He has a deep and abiding interest in Celtic theology and believes those who are minorities or feel themselves marginalised should be given a voice to speak for themselves.