This is day 15 and it has been an incredible ride. Today as we look in to John chapter 15 Jesus promised to be our everlasting source if we will simply abide in HIM. In Hampton Court near London, there is said to be a grapevine, which is about 1,000 years old. This grapevine has one root, which is at least two feet thick, and some of the branches are 200 feet long. Despite its age the vine produces several tons of grapes each year. Although some of the smaller branches are 200 feet from the main stem, they still bear the sweet and delicious fruit because they are connected to the vine. Life flows from that single root and through out the vine bringing nourishment and strength to each of the branches.
Jesus promises to do the same for us in John chapter 15. He introduces himself as the “true vine” bringing life to each of the branches. The purpose of the vine is to bring nourishment to the branches in order that they might produce fruit. When separated from the vine the branches wither and die. The vitality of our spiritual life is dependent upon our connection to Christ the “true vine.”
Each of us must answer two questions. First, are we connected to the vine, or is the life of Christ flowing within us? Secondly, if we are connected to the vine and we are joined to Christ, then how much fruit are we producing through our lives; is there no fruit, some fruit, or an abundance of fruit?
John 15:1-8 1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)
Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the true vine.” Have you ever wondered why Jesus may have said that? I think I may know why. Think with me a moment about what has happened and where Jesus and His disciples most likely are.
It’s the night before the crucifixion of Jesus. He is in the upper room with His apostles. Soon He will be going to Gethsemane. Soon He will be arrested & tried & convicted of crimes He did not commit. Soon they will be laughing at Him. They will put a crown of thorns on His head, & mockingly call Him "the king of the Jews." They’ll slap Him, & spit upon Him, & whip Him with a cat o’ 9 tails. Soon His body will be nailed to a cross, & He will die. And He knows that all of this is going to happen. It’s not a very joyful time, is it?
If you remember this is the night of Jesus’ betrayal, but before that happens Jesus and the disciples have been in the upper room. As they celebrated the Passover in the upper room, Jesus had washed the disciples feet and spoke with them about the events that were to take place. After a great deal of discussion with His disciples Jesus ends chapter 14 saying, “Come now; let us leave.”
Matthew, another one of the disciples says that following the Passover meal Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30). I believe that it is as they are making their way from the upper room to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus continued to instruct this group who had walked with Him for the last three years. Jesus knew that time was running out, but He still had much that He wanted to share with the disciples.
John 15 continues Jesus’ teaching with, “I am the true vine” Jesus was a master teacher.
When we close chapter 14, Jesus begins his journey to the Garden of Gethsemane by telling His disciples that the time is drawing near for Him to leave. John 15 is a discourse of our Lord while walking with His disciples from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane.
In this discussion with His disciples, Jesus reveals His plan for their lives after He has departed and the Holy Spirit has been sent. Primarily, Jesus is giving them instructions on not just how to survive, but to THRIVE in a world that will hate them. He tells them how to enjoy this life until they experience the next life.
John 15: 1, 5: 1 of the 7 "I AM" statements of John's gospel statements reveal the sufficiency of Christ
John 6: 35: I AM the BREAD of LIFE - He's all we need for our Spiritual APPETITE
John 9: 5: I AM the LIGHT of the WORLD - He's all we need for our Spiritual AWARENESS
John 10: 7, 9: I AM the DOOR - He's all we need for our Spiritual ACCESS
John 10: 11, 14: I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD - He's all we need for our Spiritual ACCEPTANCE
John 11: 25: I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE - He's all we need for our Spiritual AUTHORITY
John 14: 6: I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE - He's all we need for our Spiritual ASSURANCE
John 15: 1, 5: I AM the VINE - He's all we need for our Spiritual ABUNDANCE
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face death, He will carry me Home!
This is an amazing chapter hope it bless you as it did me.
- The Source of Peace, Joy, Security, 14:27-31
- The Relationship of Jesus to the People of the World, 15:1-8
- The Relationship of Jesus to Believers, 15:9-11
- The Relationship of Believers to Believers, 15:12-17
- The Relationship of Believers to the World, 15:18-27
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