St. John - session 7
Level 1
Jesus gave us such a clear picture of our close family relationship — our belonging — to God the Father. He compared this to a vine which extends out with many branches. We know from our own experience with all kinds of plants and vines, that the green stalks are nourished from the root system up through the vine out to the branches. No branch can bear fruit by itself. Then, of course, the branch must be pruned to bear the best fruit.
I am the VINE, you are the BRANCHES, My Father is the GARDENER. (John 15:1)
Jesus continued, "If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing." (verse 5) We are "in Him" when we know we are being nourished by Him through the Holy Spirit. All that He is, all that He produces . . . His honesty, purity, LOVE, etc. flows through us just as nourishment flows up from the root system of a plant, through the stalk, to the branches.
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I like to think that the minute I feel the JOY of a sunset, or the THRILL of a new bud on an old plant, or even a painting that expresses this, I am in Christ, and He is in me, enjoying the same thing. The minute I experience concern or compassion for someone, Christ is experiencing that too. To me, that's what He meant when He said that He could be in me and I "in Him". Could it be that our "fruit" shows itself most vividly when we glorify Him and when we express LOVE for one another? What do you think?
When I read "The Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (John 15:16) — it follows in my thinking that He will give me what I need to bear fruit — not for my own "happiness" or "prosperity", but fruit for His Glory, His Mission, His Kingdom.
So this "fruit" must also consist of love for our "fellow man". His most important commandment is explained in 15, verses 12-17; "Love on another, as I have loved you!" This means to me that I can not truly LOVE another without "I in Him and He in me", for without Him I "can do nothing". My love for someone may seem like love, but His Love is TRUE.
When I read "The Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (John 15:16) — it follows in my thinking that He will give me what I need to bear fruit — not for my own "happiness" or "prosperity", but fruit for His Glory, His Mission, His Kingdom.
So this "fruit" must also consist of love for our "fellow man". His most important commandment is explained in 15, verses 12-17; "Love on another, as I have loved you!" This means to me that I can not truly LOVE another without "I in Him and He in me", for without Him I "can do nothing". My love for someone may seem like love, but His Love is TRUE.
Level 2
Jesus warned the disciples of the hatred that would rise up against His followers. This, of course, is still happening in many parts of the world. He even said,
The time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. This is because they have not known the Father or me. (John 16:2)
Jesus must have been concerned over leaving His followers on their own, for they had become dependent on Him. YET, He said, "Unless I go away, the Counselor [the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. He will bring into the light of day, knowledge of what is RIGHTEOUS and what is SIN [what separates us from God]." (John 16:8) He will expose the "prince of this world who now stands condemned" (John 16:11).
Jesus calls Satan the "prince of this world". Paul later referred to Satan this way in his letter to the Ephesians 2:2. In 1st Peter, we read about Satan as "the roaring lion", roaming about the world, but in check until the second coming of Christ.
Jesus told His disciples,
Jesus calls Satan the "prince of this world". Paul later referred to Satan this way in his letter to the Ephesians 2:2. In 1st Peter, we read about Satan as "the roaring lion", roaming about the world, but in check until the second coming of Christ.
Jesus told His disciples,
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. but when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you in all truth. He will not speak on his own . . . He will bring glory to me, by taking what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16: 12-15)
These words are often used to help those who claim to have heard from the Holy Spirit, yet, the substance of the message does not "jive" with the life, the character and commandments of Jesus.
Jesus told them of His departure, and then His reappearance. Yet, they did NOT understand Him (John 16:16) We know NOW of His glorious RESURRECTION! At this time of year, our churches are preparing for a re-enactment of the days of the Passion of Jesus. I once heard a hymn that meant something to me, and maybe will mean something to you. The lyrics were, "I weep no more for the cross that He bore, I will GLORY in the cross."
Some might think that sacrilegious, but it helped me during the somber note that some assume during this time. That is their way of approaching Easter. I have my quiet time, experiencing the "peace that passeth all understanding".
Let's all follow our own leading and "remain in Him"!
Jesus told them of His departure, and then His reappearance. Yet, they did NOT understand Him (John 16:16) We know NOW of His glorious RESURRECTION! At this time of year, our churches are preparing for a re-enactment of the days of the Passion of Jesus. I once heard a hymn that meant something to me, and maybe will mean something to you. The lyrics were, "I weep no more for the cross that He bore, I will GLORY in the cross."
Some might think that sacrilegious, but it helped me during the somber note that some assume during this time. That is their way of approaching Easter. I have my quiet time, experiencing the "peace that passeth all understanding".
Let's all follow our own leading and "remain in Him"!