John 15 – Christmas Break Study
Yesterday (John 14) was all about Jesus’ relationship with the Father and the Spirit. Today, it’s all about you. Your relationship with Jesus, with each other, with everyone else. It’s one of the best, most ‘full of life’ chapters in all Scripture.
January 5th – John 15
15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
The first thing I notice about this chapter – as we remember that he’s no longer in a ‘challenging’ dialogue with the Religious leaders but is now in an intimate setting with his closest friends and students – is how Jesus really IS a Rabbi, a teacher. His style here demonstrates a clear way to get to a goal. ”Step 1, then 2, then 3. Remember, if you’re not doing 2, you can’t expect 3. Still confused about 3? If I were to explain it another way, its more like…this. Then when you are really living that much you will just see step 4, 5, and 6, come into your life.”
Often when I read this it sounds and reads like a bunch of jumbled up statements that go back on His thoughts and is really trying to hit one thing that keeps getting lost in the confusion of His message. But I’m seeing now, it’s quite linear. Jesus builds on His previous thoughts with the new ones. I imagine the disciples sitting around the table, and Jesus seeing on their faces that they may not be understanding a certain part, so He hits it again. But in reality, chapter 14 told us all about the God that loves us and His omni-presence. And now we’re hearing about what to do about that love, that guidance, that Spirit being in us.
Love Jesus, Love others.
Follow the progression of this chapter, it’s chilling to think of what exactly Jesus is preparing us for.
Obey my commands – then you will abide in my love – then you will bear much fruit – then you will be glorifying the Father. Now, go, love one another – then you will be prepared for when the rest of the world hates you – then, “You will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning” (v.27).
take it one step at a time.
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