Tuesday, January 29, 2008

A Branch That Bears Fruit

John 15:2, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

We are going to take a close look at our text and examine it with regard to its meaning for you and me in this time of our lives. We learned last week that Jesus is the Vine, and that our Heavenly Father is the Vineyard Gardner. Now, we read about the branch. The identity of the branch is revealed later in our chapter as "you." (See Verse 5.) In fact, the branch is everyone that calls himself or herself a Christian.

Our verse tells us that the Master Vinedresser takes away the branch that does not bear fruit and cuts back the branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.

Modern horticulturists agree that the purpose of pruning is to obtain maximum yields of high quality grapes and to allow adequate vegetative growth for the following season.

Whether we are referring to an orchard of grapes or a believer's walk with the Lord, it is clear that the motive for cleaning and pruning is for the yield of abundant fruit for the present and for the future. Our Heavenly Father made us for His glory, and He knows what it will take for each of us to lead successful, fruit-bearing lives today and tomorrow. He only wants our best.

The Word of God contains many lessons about bearing fruit. First, let's examine these verses found in various parts of the Bible, and as we do, expect to gain insights regarding what Jesus is teaching in John 15.

Psalm 92:12-15, "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

Matthew 7:18-19, "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Titus 3:14, "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful."

Matthew 12:33, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit."

We were all born by God's purpose and for His purpose. Our study has caused us to remember that one of His main purposes for us is that we should bear fruit, and bear more fruit. As He washes us with the Word in our reading and studying, may our tender Vinedresser teach us and train us to draw closer to Him.

Points to Ponder

1. Name one characteristic of a grape branch.


2. How does pruning benefit the fruit of the vine for the present?


3. What is the benefit for the future?


4. Why can't a bad tree produce good fruit?

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The First Lesson of The Vine

In the Old Testament, grapes symbolized Israel's fruitfulness in doing God's work on the earth. The psalmist refers to the God's people taking ownership of the Promised Land in Psalm 80:8 when he writes, "You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it."

Once again in the Old Testament we find a reference to a vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7. The lesson of the "Song of the Vineyard" shows that God's chosen nation was to bear fruit, but the fruit was bad. Verse 2, "He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes."

As we consult our current passage in John 15:1, we read, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser." Jesus had stopped on His way to the Garden, and turned to His eleven disciples who had been following in His footsteps. He had begun His final teaching with these words. They may have been surprised at the subject-matter, but it would be vital for each of them to listen intently, and to record it in their minds because they would most definitely need to remember what their Master had to say.

Jesus quickly outlined for them the structure of authority in terms that they understood fully. He identified His relationship to the Father, and confirmed His own authenticity. Jesus is the true vine; He is the genuine life-sustainer; He is the real Source of nourishment. However, the Father is the vinedresser, the farmer; the One Who owns the shears!

Jesus, the wise Pastor/Teacher, used something spiritually and culturally familiar as an object lesson in His final sermon. It was imperative that His students understood, and at this point in the lives of His disciples, only time would tell if they had grasped the meaning.

Heavenly Father, help us as we endeavor to lay hold of the teaching of The Vine. Open our spiritual eyes and touch our hearts that we might respond to You. Thank You for taking the time to patiently explain Your ways. In Your Name, Amen.

Points to Ponder

1. Why do you think the Lord Jesus used a vineyard to explain this important doctrine?


2. Why were there only eleven disciples with Him at this time?


3. How were the disciples able to comprehend spiritual concepts?


4. What kind of duties would a vinedresser have?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

A Quick Look at Chapter 14 of the Gospel of John

We will be studying John 15 throughout this term, but before we begin, let us glance at the chapter before. As we familiarize ourselves with the setting, we will at the same time gain insight into how Jesus teaches His disciples.

During the Passover meal, Jesus had explained to His disciples plainly that He would be going away.

Three years previously, He had chosen the Twelve, and then He walked with them everyday. Jesus had invested into their lives, each and every one, by instructing them in the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus had utilized several methods while He taught; one of His favorite ways was using objects or instances from everyday life. He had used something they could touch to illustrate something they could not fathom. Many times, the disciples were confused by a teaching, and they would ask for further clarification. Jesus would patiently accommodate them.

Upon review of the Gospel of John 14, we read that Jesus advises the ones closest to Him that He is leaving them, and that they will not see Him anymore. But then He says, "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also." And, "I am going away and coming back to you." And, "If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I am going to the Father."

It is no wonder that His disciples are very troubled. They just do not -- they cannot -- understand.

It is interesting to note that when Jesus explained Himself forthrightly, His disciples often had a very difficult time understanding what He meant. Jesus was able to discern His students' capacities, and so He would often alternate His technique and teach in metaphors, parables, or analogies.

"If you cannot comprehend this way, then try to grasp it another way," is what the Lord Jesus seemed to be saying to them.

And so, we still need the interpretation of the idea, "I will be going away from you, but I will never leave you," two seemingly contrary ideas. No wonder the disciples were puzzled. Emotionally, they did not want to hear the truth. The daunting nearness of Jesus's departure meant sadness, separation, and loss -- which is all they could think about.

What does Jesus mean?

Jesus told the disciples that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them in the Name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit would be with them always and would be their Teacher and Comforter. The Holy Spirit was going to trade places with Jesus in the lives of the disciples, and though they did not understand it at the time, it was very Good News!

May each one of us acknowledge and experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord give us grace to read His Word, and discern His meaning as we study.

Love, Karen