*Editor’s Note: Sorry for the delay in posting the content for this entry. (MK)
John 15:1-11 – “The True Vine and Fullness of Joy”
(Matt Koerber)
John 15:1-11 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
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John 15 was the subject of the first sermon introducing this reading program. It has always been one of my favorite passages to read and one of the more frequent passages for preaching. I return to this section again and again because it reminds us that the essence of our spiritual life is connection to Jesus. Jesus himself uses the agricultural illustration of the vine and the branch to explain the point. Abiding is like a branch having a life giving connection to the vine. A branch that is severed from the vine will no longer bear fruit. In the same manner, abiding in him brings spiritual fruit. Failure to abide brings absence of fruit.
This is the main point of the parable and we learn many things about what it means to abide in Jesus. A quick summary:
- God (the Father) is actively involved in our spiritual growth as the vinedresser. (v.1-2)
- The word of Jesus makes us clean. (v.3)
- Without an active connection to Jesus we can do…nothing. (v.4-5)
- Refusing to abide in Jesus is the same as rejecting Jesus. (v.6)
- Abiding is related to prayer. (v.7)
- Fruitful abiding gives glory to God. (v.8)
- Abiding in Jesus is about trusting his love for us. (v.9)
- Abiding means we seek to keep the commands of Jesus. (v.10)
There is a final note that I want to draw out of this passage. Jesus ends this section by telling us about joy. Far from being a mere duty, abiding in Jesus is about life-giving relational connection. We may start into our time of prayer or bible reading (or devotional reading) out of a sense of obligation, but it is not meant to end there. It is meant to end with joy. In fact, Jesus says that the goal of all this spiritual fruitfulness is glory to God (v. 8) and joy for his people. (v.11) Of course, abiding involves difficult things. It means that we choose to obey Jesus and love our brothers when we don’t feel like it. It means that we choose to seek fellowship with Jesus through word and prayer when it is easier to entertain ourselves. It means that we seek to pray with others when it makes us feel uncomfortable. It means that God is doing the painful work of pruning (v.2). But the end goal of all this is joy. Abiding in Jesus is ultimately a joyful activity. The Christian life – though full of cross carrying and dying to self – is pointed directly at the end goal of joy. Not only that, but Jesus says that his purpose in all of this teaching is that our joy may be full. (v.11) Let’s pursue the joy of abiding in Jesus today!
Weekly Prayer Focus: Generosity and Fundraising
Daily Prayer Request: “That our Church would embrace generosity as we face the task of raising money for the new building.”