The Way - Day 196 (John 15)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
JOHN 15:1-16:4
Having informed the disciples about His imminent departure, Jesus prepared them for the events which were to follow. Although the disciples did not fully understand why Jesus had to die (14:5-11), they had to take comfort in His promise of a return and preparation of a place to dwell with Him forever (14:1-4). Furthermore, Jesus' leaving was necessary so that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (14:12-31), who would enable them to spread the message of salvation and accomplish the work He had begun (14:12-14), could come.

At the conclusion of John 14 Jesus said, "I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming...Arise, let us go from here" (14:30a, 31). The time of His death was near. Jesus’ next words were profound in instructing them about three relationships which would continue following His departure: the relationship of believers to Jesus (15:1-11), the relationship of believers to one another (15:12-17), and the relationship of believers to those who do not believe (15:18-16:4). Why did Jesus instruct His disciples about these relationships? They encompass the entire Christian life and if they were to carry out Jesus' message, they must focus on these relationships. Love for Christ (15:1-11) leads to love for each other (15:12-17) and those who love Christ and others will testify of hope through Jesus Christ (15:18-16:4).

Illustrating the relationship an individual should have with God, Jesus provided the thought of a vine and branches (15:1-11). The true vine is Jesus, making this the final (seventh) I AM statement throughout the gospel of John (see also 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 14:6). These I AM statements were meant to provide proof that Jesus is the Son of God and Messiah. This particular claim to deity identified Jesus as the One who gives life to the branches (those who believe). Life is given to all those who confess their sin and believe in Jesus as the payment for sin (John 3:16-17, 36). Without Jesus, no one can have eternal life or a relationship with God the Father (John 14:6). Jesus also introduces the vinedresser (gardener), who is God the Father. He protects the vine as well as the branches. Jesus then mentions that flowing from the vine are two types of branches: those which do not produce fruit (15:2a) and those which produce fruit (15:2b). The branches that do not produce fruit symbolize individuals who claim they are related to Jesus, but do not really have genuine faith. The fact that the gardener (God the Father) takes away these dead branches reveals that they never had life. In fact, Jesus later says, "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (15:6). People who reject Jesus are guaranteed eternal destruction in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
 
The branches that produce fruit (having right attitudes and actions) illustrate those who have been given life through faith in Jesus Christ. Living branches are pruned so that they might bear more fruit. The picture here teaches that God the Father often disciplines (prunes) the living branches so that they can grow more (see also Hebrews 12:3-11). Pruning involves removing sin or distractions which would cause those who believe to become stagnant in their love for God and others. So, how does a person make sure he is growing in His relationship with God? Abiding or remaining in the truth evidences life. This life cannot happen outside of a relationship with the vine, Jesus Christ (15:4). Jesus then gives the benefits of remaining in Him.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (15:7).

Jesus does mention that one of the major indicators of genuine life in Christ is obedience to God's words and commands (15:7-10). So, a right relationship with God is accurately reflected through continual obedience to His commandments.

The next teaching of Jesus surrounds the relationship of believers to each other (15:12-17).
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you" (15:12-14).

Jesus' followers should love one another the way Jesus had shown love to them - by sacrificing and being selfless. The final instructions about a believer's relationship with those who do not believe is not encouraging. He warns them about the hatred that would exist.

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (15:18-19).

Persecution from those who do not believe should not discourage Jesus' followers from testifying of salvation through His name (15:26-27). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to empower them to carry on in the face of opposition (John 16:1-4; see also Acts 1:8). As the disciples were bold, we also must be courageous in spreading the message of hope to a lost and dying world.

Dear God, in my relationship with You, help me to produce more fruit. In my relationship with others, help me to love selflessly. In my relationship to those who do not believe, help me to be courageous for the truth.