DAY #171: John 14:25-15:17

Please pray for the kids who made decisions at camp. Pray that they would stay connected to Christ and to other believers. Pray that God would preserve the commitments and the softness of heart in each student. Pray that these students would continue the habits of reading the Word and praying and confession that they began at camp.

In today's passage, we see that Jesus gave his last words to His disciples. The coming days would bring horrifying, then glorious. Jesus would not be able to talk to his disciples during those events. Before the disciples could understand any more, Jesus’ death and resurrection would have to take place. Then, the disciples’ understanding would be heightened by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, would be sent as Jesus’ representative The Spirit would continue Jesus’ ministry of teaching. The Spirit would also remind the disciples of what Jesus had told them. The apostles remembered and wrote with the help of the Spirit. John’s Gospel, even the entire New Testament, would not exist if not for this reminding work of the Holy Spirit.

In chapter 15, Jesus begins His teaching about the Secrets of the Vine. The grapevine is a prolific plant; a single vine bears many grapes. In the Old Testament, grapes symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in doing God’s work on earth. Believers, both sincere and false, are pictured here as the branches.

The fruitful branches are true believers who, by their living union with Christ, produce much fruit. Fruit is not limited to soul winning. In this chapter, answered prayer, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit. Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit, explained as qualities of Christian character.

Jesus prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. Successful gardeners know that pruning, cutting back the branches, increases fruit bearing. Each spring vinedressers cut back each vine to its root stock to enhance its fruitfulness. Sincere believers, the fruitful branches, will be “pruned,” meaning that God must sometimes discipline us to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don’t bear fruit are “cut off” at the trunk and are completely discarded because they are worthless and often infect the rest of the plant. People who won’t bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be cut off from his life-giving power.

True disciples do more than just believe what Jesus says; they let Jesus’ words remain in them. An essential part of being a disciple requires bearing fruit for the Lord. And in order to pray for results, a person must remain in Christ. For when we remain in him, our thoughts and desires conform to his, and we can pray “in his name", knowing that our requests please God. We can be assured then that whatever we ask will be done.

A vine that produces much fruit glorifies God. Jesus does not call Christians to a dull existence of being hated by the world, obeying commands, and waiting to get to heaven. Instead, he offers us fullness of joy! Nothing else in all the world can bring the joy that we find in serving, abiding in, and obeying Christ.

Finally, we read in this passage that Jesus commanded His followers to love each other as He loved them. We must love each other sacrificially, as Jesus loved us. Jesus required His disciples to make peace with one another, to place the interests of others above their own, and to solve differences quickly. He knew they were diverse in background, but he ordered them to love each other. Jesus knew that setting this high standard was essential to preserving the unity of the church. If he required it, the believers would accept and live out this standard. Backbiting, disrespect, and bitterness toward fellow believers strips the church of its power

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I must stay connected to Jesus. I must stay connected to His Word. I must keep short accounts of sin (in other words, don't let my sin pile high and then throw a blanket confession over them. Rather, when I sin, when i blow it, I need to immediately confess the sin and move on). Lord, I want my life to bear fruit. I want my life to be used by You - however You please. Lord, do this same work in the hearts and lives of the people of COV.

Lord, press upon their hearts the need to stay connected with you moment by moment. Press upon them Your desire for them to bear fruit. Give them a heart for Your word and for people.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." John 15:16 (NIV)