This week’s lesson draws us back to the Farewell Discourses of Jesus. In the lesson of February 7^th, we learned from John 17 about how prayer draws us closer to God and aligns our hearts with His agenda. If prayer draws us nearer to God then we must continue (abide, remain) in Him in order accomplish the work He has for us. Last week we learned that we must be united with a body of believers in order to grow spiritually. The next step in addition to growth for individuals and churches is to bear good and healthy fruit.  Only through our connection to Him do we access the source of power necessary to live as fruitful disciples. 

Jesus’ agricultural illustration was very familiar to the 1^st Century reader. The original audience lived in an agrarian society. Additionally, the relationship between God and the Israelites was often portrayed in the same way in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 5, God is the vinedresser who took great care of the vineyard only to see a yield of bad fruit. (See also Psalm 80:8-16, Jeremiah 2:21) 

At the end of chapter 14 Jesus instructs the disciples to depart from the Upper Room to go toward Gethsemane. I can imagine Him referencing vines growing nearby for illustration as He spoke the words recorded in chapter 15. (This is another example of Jesus the Master Teacher using a variety of instructional methods to help His students learn.) In verse 1, we read the last of Jesus’ “I am” statements: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” Then in verse 2, Jesus speaks of the role of the gardener to manage the growth of the branches. I don’t have a green thumb, but I know old dead branches need to be removed from my crepe myrtles regularly. Those branches take away from the overall health of the plant and any flowers produced.  There is another pruning that takes place as well. Some of the fruit-bearing branches are also pruned. This allows nutrients and water to not be wasted on small offshoots that are living but never mature enough to bear fruit. Sometimes we as Christians bear fruit but distractions that compete for our attention need to be removed so that we can concentrate on the Father’s priority of fruit-bearing. For the believer this is part of the sanctification process (BSFL Senior Adult Leader Guide, 150). All the branches are pruned to some degree, but for different reasons.  In verse 3, Jesus moves from speaking broadly to speaking specifically concerning the disciples. The disciples through the teaching and instruction of Jesus have had their spirits pruned. Following the pruning process, they are now prepared to go and bear fruit themselves.

We (branches) are prepared to bear fruit through the attention of the vinedresser. The branches receive what they need through the vine (Jesus). In verses 4-5, the word “remain” is mentioned five times. Most of us learned these verses using the term “abide.” The word can also be translated as “stay.” The idea of abiding in Christ in my mind can be described in many ways: faithful, continual, dependent, intimate, nurturing, protective, life-giving, etc. Verse 4 states the negative that those who disconnect from Christ cannot bear fruit. Verse 5 states the positive. Those who remain will bear fruit and will do so continually. Verse 6 would probably elicit more discussion than we have room for here. Those who are not attached to the vine are lifeless and useless. The image of burning is certainly indicative of a judgement for those who reject Christ. I certainly believe we are saved by grace through faith and that our salvation is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). The footnote in my study Bible helps me clarify this thought: “these branches probably do not represent true believers. Genuine salvation is evidenced by a life of fruitfulness.” Saving faith is also a transformative faith, which is a faith at work. (By faith at work, I mean a faith characterized by service from a loving heart, not a list of activities or achievements which may become a source of pride.)

Verse 7 contains a promise from Jesus for those disciples who remain in Him. Ask for what you want and it will be done for you needs some context to clarify our understanding. The mature believer who abides in Christ will pray with and from a proper perspective. Earlier I referenced the lesson truth from February 7^th. When we pray sincerely our heart’s desire will align with God’s desire for us. (Remembering the answer may be yes, no or wait.) Then we can apply Jesus’ words from Matthew 6:33 that tell us to seek the kingdom of God first and foremost, then all the things we tend to worry about will be provided as well.  We will naturally pray according to God’s will when we walk in the Spirit. 

Verse 8 tells us we glorify and honor God through our obedience. God is glorified as His disciples give evidence to who He is and how He can transform lives. Richard Elligson writes that a right relationship between God and His children yields two important benefits: a harvest of fruit for God’s kingdom and an unmistakable testimony for Christ.

Abiding in Christ is yet another spiritual discipline we can add to the list we’ve complied the last six weeks. Each of these disciplines are meant to draw us nearer to our God and transform us into His image.

The lesson guide closes with two Engage activities that I close with as well:

·        List some things you can do to stay connected to Jesus.

·        List some types of fruit God can produce through you when you stay connected to Jesus.

Until next time may we continually live: “In the Grip of Grace” - Max Lucado



Hope to see you this Sunday.