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John

John 
Day 
Day 215

John 15:1-17 "A FIRM REMINDER"

Day 215 – John 15

A FIRM REMINDER

As the Disciples drank in the words that Jesus spoke, He sought to reinforce His teaching by way of reminding.

“I am the Vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit; for without Me you
can do nothing.”
John 15:5

GETTING THE RELATIONSHIP RIGHT

It was important that the Disciples get their understanding of their relationship with Jesus absolutely right.

1. Was Jesus the “Vine” in their faith and life?

It was altogether too easy to speak of having faith – but not necessarily in Jesus! The multitudes saw Jesus as a Miracle worker, an outstanding Teacher, and some even thought that He might have been a prophet of God! However, these did not have a relationship with Jesus as their Vine. They were not vitally connected. They were not abiding in Him. Jesus did not want His Disciples to make the same mistakes!

2. Were they truly “branches”?

There were many who followed Jesus, but were not true branches. The most obvious example was that of Judas Iscariot! All who declared their faith in Jesus must examine their relationship with Jesus, firstly with reference to salvation, and secondly with reference to sanctification.

3. Were they truly abiding Christ?

The believer who truly had faith in Jesus would naturally desire to become His disciple! He would also sincerely desire with all his heart to be as close to Jesus as possible. Closeness to Jesus was another very real and important aspect of abiding in Christ! Each disciple would do well to examine his walk with Jesus.

4. Was Christ abiding in the Disciples?

It is one thing to declare that one is abiding in Christ. It is quite another thing to speak of Christ abiding in the Disciple. If the Disciple were abiding in Jesus, he would surely see evidence of Jesus blessing him. He would know the Saviour’s love expressed
to him in very special ways (John 14:21). Jesus would reveal Himself to that disciple (John 14:21). Jesus would make His Presence felt in the life of His Disciples!

5. How real was the Promise of Bearing Much Fruit?

No disciple would like to look at his life and see nothing but barrenness. Every true disciple would want to bear as much fruit as possible in his life! Fruit bearing was possible. In fact it was in God’s Divine plan for every disciple to bear “much fruit”. This wasn’t just a dream! This was a potential reality that Jesus wanted His Disciples to believe in with all their heart!

A QUIET WORD TO THE WISE

It is possible for believers to get carried away with the promises that Jesus uttered.

1. It is possible to be carried away by human emotions

One of the most powerful things that God has given to us would be “human emotions”. It is possible to be carried away with human emotions even in matters of faith and religion. However, these emotions, no matter how good and strong, will not produce fruit!

2. It is possible to be carried away by the strength of human will

Another powerful thing that God has given to man is that of a powerful human will. Though that will has been weakened considerably by the power of sin, the human being is still quite capable of wielding that power associated with the human will. However, no matter how “powerful” that human will may be, it will not be able to bring about fruitfulness.

3. It is possible to draw “strength” from other sources

It is more than possible for people to draw strength and encouragement from different sources! He can draw strength from his fellow-human beings. He can find encouragement from different experiences of life. However, this “strength” will not be able to produce the kind of fruit that Jesus spoke about!

The Disciples must therefore exercise great caution and even greater consciousness as to the role of Jesus in their life! If they were to fail to be conscious of His role, they might find themselves failing in more ways than one.

JESUS, FIRST AND LAST

Jesus wanted His Disciples to understand a most important truth! Let us meditate on this statement Jesus made to His Disciples more deeply,

“…without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5b

How did the journey of faith begin with the Disciples? Was it not because of Jesus? How did they carry on growing their faith, life and ministry? Was it not because of their growing relationship with Jesus too?

Jesus wanted to emphasize to His Disciples an important truth. Whether He was there with them physically, or whether there would be some changes after His death and resurrection, He would still be playing a vital role in their lives and ministries! Without Him, they would not be able to accomplish anything at all!

What is the role of Jesus in our daily life? Are we guilty of only paying lip service to Jesus? Let us re-examine the role of Jesus in our life! We can do nothing without Him! Let us bring to mind what Jesus said most solemnly. Without Him, without abiding in Him, we will accomplish nothing significant in our life!