“I Am the True Vine”

 

BIBLE READING: John 13-16


One of the greatest lessons on servant hood is taught by Jesus as he and the apostles share the Passover Meal the night before his betrayal. The role of a servant and his master was well established in Judaism, but on this night, Jesus takes on the role of a servant by taking off his outer garments and stooping to wash the apostles’ feet. This is a shocking reversal of roles, doubly shocking when the Master is the very God at whose feet the apostles worship. This dramatic act will convey that Jesus really intends for his followers to serve one another. Another lesson taught on this night is the concept of true love which Jesus introduces as a “new commandment.” Jesus states here that when he leaves the disciples, his followers will be marked by a love for one another that has not existed before. By dying for mankind Jesus demonstrates a love that can only be found by following him. Years later, John understands what Christ meant on this night and states in 1 John 4:7-12, “Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God…Dear, friends, since God so  loved us, we also ought to  love one another…if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” In John 15:12-17 Jesus continues this lesson on love “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” 

In chapters 14-16, Jesus reassures the apostles that even though he must leave them and go back to heaven to be with God, he will still be watching over them. On hearing that he must leave them, Thomas says “Lord we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? (14:5). Philip asks, “Lord show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” To which Jesus replies, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.” (14:10). ‘Taking care of the apostles and those who love Jesus will continue even when they are persecuted for following Jesus. In chapter 15, Jesus compares our relationship to him as a vine, which provides nourishment for its branches in good times and in bad times. (15:1-11). As long as the branches are on the vine, they receive the nourishment they need to bear fruit and survive. This protection is extended to Christians as they face persecution for the cause of Christ. “If the world hates you know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (15:18).

In chapter 16, Jesus concludes his teaching by reassuring the apostles and his followers at that time and those who would follow after his death that they would never be left alone by Jesus. In John 7:37-39, Jesus had alluded to the Spirit that would come in the last days. Jesus now explains the purpose of the Comforter or Helper that would come. What that relationship will mean is found in these verses:

1.       John 14:15-17: The new relationship is promised and the Spirit is given a personal name: Comforter (Helper) The Greek word, ‘Paraklete,’ means one who comes alongside to support.

2.        John 14:25,26: The coming Spirit will be the teacher of Jesus’ followers who will remind of and help to understand Jesus’ words.

3.       3. John 15:26,27: The Comforter will give inner testimony to Jesus as his disciples proclaim their Lord to others.

4.       John 16:5-11: The coming Spirit will work in the world of men, convicting of guilt and authenticating the messages of sin and judgment.

5.       John 16:12-15: The Holy Spirit will be the guide which Jesus’ followers need to lead them. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

The final lesson in John 16 is the ability that his followers will have in asking God for their needs “in the name of Jesus.” (16:16-24) The power of the resurrected Jesus will be shown by our ability to make requests from God to meet our needs through Jesus. This does not mean simply to “tack” in Jesus’ name on after prayer as an “after thought.” In Bible times the “name” summed up the identity and the character of a person or thing. To ask in Jesus’ name means to pray in full understanding of who Jesus is and in harmony with his character and purpose.

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