Life in the Vineyard
John 15-16
I have a hard time getting my head around Jesus hanging out with His closest friends sharing deep heavenly truths. But that is exactly what is happening in these few chapters of John. Jesus was the perfect reflection of God’s imagine here on earth. He knew His time was short and it would be up to this group of men to carry on without Him.
Jesus has shown the example of “servant leadership” by washing the disciples feet. He has commanded them to love the same way He has loved them. Jesus has promised “the Comforter” to help them. He tells them the same Spirit that filled Him from above in front of John the Baptist (1:29) will flood into their lives. This will enable and equip them to live like Jesus. (14:12)
Chapter 15 picks up with Jesus continuing to press the importance of staying close to Him and by staying close to Jesus, His followers, will be connected with God the Father. He compares this to a vineyard and the fruit it produces. Another “I AM” statement is used, “I am the Vine and My Father is the vinedresser”. (15:1) God is the gardener, Jesus is the vine, and the disciples are the branches. By remaining close to Jesus, the life of the vine will fill them and overflow their lives with nourishing fruit. The work of Jesus will be the natural result of this connection. (15:4)
Jesus again reminds His beloved friends to remember His new command, “Love one another”. (15:17) He then moves right into explaining that following Him and sharing His story, the Gospel message, will come at a cost. Jesus knows that sharing His life and showing what it truly means to follow God will lead to His death. Jesus tells His disciples that if they follow Him they will be hated by the world too. (16:1-4)
Can you imagine the questions swirling around in the disciples minds? What is He talking about? Knowing they have many questions, Jesus goes right back to reminding them about the coming Comforter or Holy Spirit. “When the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.” (16:12)
The disciples did not realize that by Jesus leaving them, the presence of God would come even closer to them. By Jesus leaving, the disciples and us today can be filled with the Spirit of God. (16:7) The Holy Spirit not only empowers our actions but also our words! The message of the Gospel comes alive in us and through us by the Holy Spirit! Disbelief becomes belief. Weakness becomes power. Jesus alive in us!