Let’s face it. If there is one thing that seems to be missing in our world today, it is joy. There is so much bad news out there that it is difficult to be joyful, right? I mean, I see posts on Facebook all the time about something else the President of the US has done, someone shooting up a crowded place and even our police are under attack. Why is it that our joy has seemingly gone AWOL? In this article, I will talk about Jesus’ teaching on this very subject. Read on if you dare…
My last article covered John 14. This week, we will continue discussing some of Jesus’ final words to the disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. John 15 begins with Jesus statement:
As Jesus continues his final teachings before he was to leave the disciples, he will be urging them to remain faithful afterward. Jesus knows that in order for them to do that, they would have to remain connected to Him. His use of the symbolic language here is important for a couple of reasons. In the Old Testament, the symbolism of the vine or vineyard refers to the nation of Israel. The disciples would be familiar with this fact and this symbolism referring to himself as the “true vine” had a unique meaning to them. Jesus was teaching them that He was, himself, their source of life as well as the root of the family. Prior to Jesus taking this role in their lives, they associated themselves as sons of Abraham. They were still, physically, sons of Abraham, but they were gaining a new identity in Jesus. Secondly, He is helping to introduce the concept it is necessary for them to be connected with him in order to draw their life from him and that apart from him, there is no life at all.
Let’s look as Jesus continues to explain this teaching in verses 4-6:
There is a choice to be made on our part here. We can either allow the life that Jesus provides us to bear fruit by this connection and realize that God will prune to bear more fruit or we will be taken away (cut off). So the question becomes, exactly what is the fruit Jesus is referring to? Some suggest that this fruit is the result of evangelism, or creating converts to Christianity. John, in chapter 4:35-38, records Jesus reference to evangelism in these terms. Other scholars claim that this fruit is referring to growing into a Christian lifestyle. It seems to me, though, that reading this in the larger context of the image Jesus is using (the vine) that he is referring specifically to the divine life He instilled in us when we are reborn. One aspect of this life, is a growing knowledge of God, as Jesus indicates in verse 8, which reads “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. ” In other words, the “fruit” that Jesus produces in us is a growing knowledge of God and Christ, along with a growing relationship with Him. This growing relationship with Him should cause us to grow to be more like Him AND cause others around us to desire a relationship with Him as well. Ultimately, I believe that both those that call this “fruit” the result of evangelism AND those who believe it is growth as a Christian are correct.
As Jesus begins to close this teaching, he says this:
Those of you who know me well, understand that I truly love to explore God’s creation. As a photographer, I love to try to capture some of the beauty that God has placed both here on the earth and in the heavens above. I especially love to watch the sunset and sunrise (I don’t see many of the sunrises due to the fact that they happen so early in the morning). This cycle is a constant reminder to me of God’s great love for me. Romans 1:20 is probably my favorite verse to think about as I view God’s creation with awe. It reads, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” You see, for me, the earth and all that is in it and all that is above it serve as a constant reminder of God’s attributes. Specifically, for me it reminds me of His love toward me. But it is not enough to simply recognize this love. I must learn to “abide in [His] love”. The only way to do that, as Jesus taught here, is to keep His commandments. For me, this is not always an easy assignment. There are parts of me that continue to want to continue to live out my fleshly desires. This is the part of me that God is actively pruning. Some of this, he removes altogether. Others, he simply ties off so that they will grow in accordance with His desire for my life. As I continue to grow in my relationship with him, I am finding that the more obedient I am, the closer to Him I find myself and I am able to more fully realize just how much He truly loves me. This is what “abide in My love” means. We much live in such a way that we continually grow more aware of His love for us and the only way to do that is through our obedience.
If we learn the lessons that Jesus is teaching here:
- He is the vine and without him, there is no life
- God expects us to bear fruit and he WILL prune us in order to produce more fruit
- We cannot bear any fruit apart from the vine (Jesus)
- Christ’s goal for us is that we abide in His love and the only way to do this is through obedience to him
If we are able to do these things, then Jesus makes us a promise in verse 11:
I can honestly say that I am learning a bit more about what it is like to experience the joy that Christ brings. I have not reached a point in my life where he has finished his work in me, but I am anxious for the day when I can experience joy made full. I don’t believe this is something that I will completely understand this side of Heaven, but I can tell you that there is such a joy in a relationship with Him that simply cannot be explained. Rather, it must be experienced. If you are a Christian and you are not experiencing joy, then perhaps you need to heed Jesus’ teaching here. If you are living a lifestyle that is in opposition to His commandments, then you will never experience His love as He intended and, as a result, you will have an incomplete joy. If you are NOT a Christian and you would like to know more about how to begin your journey with Christ, read the article entitled “Lord, Have mercy!” It is my prayer that you find the fullness of joy that can be found in Jesus.
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