John 16:5-7 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. 7 But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you.”
 
THE disciples were very sad. John records through several chapters Jesus’ goodbye to his disciples. They cannot understand why he would leave them. But he has to leave, doesn’t he? It is time for the next step in God’s salvation plan for the world – even for you and me today.
   Sin is a sad thing. Think of the reasons we mourn: death, broken relationships, disease, and lost opportunities are some. Then consider why these sad circumstances exist. Grief came into the human heart when Adam and Eve realized their sin.
Genesis 3:5-8 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
   Pride, shame, guilt are mournful emotions. They separate us from God, and they isolate us from real relationships. Such sins lead to all sins infecting our world today. Hearts apart from God are mournful hearts.
   But rejoice! God’s promises of his help to change our hearts abound. Psalms 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
In this psalm and before his disciples, the forever faithful Lord Jesus assures his sad disciples that someone marvelous and strong will come to help them. The Savior of the world, the Redeemer of our souls, our eternal Friend Jesus is sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will overcome the sadness. He will transform hearts into joy as God’s holiness lost in Eden begins to enter human hearts in Jerusalem, Judea and to the world.
   Read Acts 2-3, and you’ll see these same sad disciples become Spirit-empowered, joyful apostles. Yes, it’s true! Matthew 5:3-6 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  
   This and more is what Jesus’ Helper – the Holy Spirit – did for the disciples. He will do, is doing the same for you. Living in Jesus’ resurrection power is a life of joy because you know the Spirit is with you. The Spirit helps you, guides you, and takes you through the sad times to God’s holiness. The Spirit’s power overcomes sin’s sadness.        
   Are you saved in Jesus’ blood by the Spirit’s power? Then be generous with your salvation. Joyfully live today in a way to show people Jesus is alive! Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the joy of your salvation. Amen.
 
 

John 16:1-4 "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.”
 
WHAT would you think if your pastor preached these warning words? How would you and others respond to a famous Christian speaker whose main point was, “Expect rejection and suffering for your faith.” Would you think, “That’s crazy talk.” Or would you think, “I need to be prepared.”
   Jesus wants you prepared. The Bible warns and promises throughout that God’s chosen messengers will face various degrees of persecution. Some is emotional. Some is physical, even ostracism and death. Jesus spoke these hard truths to his disciples, so they would be prepared for the deadly forces about to confront them.
    To help them stand up for Jesus, the Lord urged his disciples to remember that he had predicted his own persecution. When they would see the cross, they would recall Jesus words. And they would take his message to heart. This real-life demonstration of evil against God would fortify the apostles for the difficult days to mark the remainder of their lives.
    How easy it is to tell ourselves, “It’s too much.” when hardships arise. Many people quit a cause when unprepared for obstacles. If we anticipate struggles, though, we become emotionally ready. Others who have overcome defeat and stayed the course inspire us to remain faithful. That’s why Jesus pointed his disciples to, “All this I have told you.” His accurate predictions would increase their trust in his instructions.
   The apostles and we to this day witness the truth of Jesus’ warning, “In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”  This deadly persecution began very soon in the early church. A deacon in the church, Stephen, would become the first martyr for the faith (Acts 7:54-60). James, one of the disciples present with Jesus during this teaching, would be put to death by King Herod (Acts 12:1-2). Saul of Tarsus — before his conversion to become the apostle Paul — went through the land hunting down and persecuting Christians. He was convinced that he was serving God by killing those who proclaimed Jesus as their Messiah (Acts 9:1-2). And it has become worse. There are more martyrs in Jesus’ church today than at any point in history.  
   If you do hear a pastor, Christian speaker or a Bible teacher preach these hard words, believe them. Jesus said it. Jesus is truth. These awful things do happen and will happen to Christians until Jesus comes again. Be emotionally and spiritually prepared to know your Lord suffered and died for you, so you will live. Stand against persecution. Know you are in God’s protection.
   Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  
 
Prayer: Thank, Jesus, for preparing us for war. We pray we are faithful warriors for the gospel. Amen.
 
Addendum: Here is news from the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) email: A mob hurled bricks at Christians for hanging a Palm Sunday banner. A Christian family was gunned down over the Easter holiday. Churches have been bombed and Christian neighborhoods attacked. Christians can't even count on local authorities. Last year, a gang of policemen savagely beat a young Christian boy to death.
 

 

John 15:24-25 “If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”
 
OVER the past few days, we have looked at John 15:17-25. One surprising lesson from Jesus in these verses is to understand the world opposes – even hates Jesus. Why would the creation so forcefully reject its Creator? Did they not desire the full blessings of God’s ways? What good promises he offered to them with such words as John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life.” And in John 10:9 “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.” In truth, the Jews’ complacent minds then, and ours now do not perceive The Way is truly The Gate to a purposeful, joyful life in God’s physical and spiritual blessings.
   When I was farming years ago, there was sometimes a surprising limiting behavior in cattle. Periodically, we needed to move the cattle from their used-up pasture to a green, lush pasture prepared for them. The animals had grazed and lay on the pasture until only dry, minimal grass remained. The good grass awaited the cattle when we simply opened the gate, so they could easily walk through. Surely, the cattle would see the open gate and run for the new pasture!
   But they did not. Instead, they refused to go. Their habit each day before that pasture-changing day was to walk by the closed gate. They had no anticipation of ever going to the good pasture. When we opened the gate then, their habits, in effect, kept it closed.
   But we wanted to help them see the new way and enjoy the truth of the good pasture. We worked to coax them through the gate. Eventually, one or two found the way. When others saw one of their own find new pasture, they, too, began to go. Finally, the entire herd followed. Some of the last few even ran through the gate! We were pleased, and so were the cattle! What fun it was to watch them as they romped, kicked up their heels and feasted on the blessing of the grass.
   Do you know God wants you “romping” in his lush pasture? But the Jews in Jesus’ day were like the cattle, and so are we. We all too easily have a kind of hatred, an opposition for Jesus. We reject The Way because we become comfortable in the way of minimal faith and worldly comforts. Such habits limit our minds and souls. They keep us from seeing God’s lush blessings of kingdom living. Too quickly, we become satisfied in our own biases, even as they leave us dry and hungry for God’s promises. We walk by God’s kingdom gate because we don’t believe God has opened our lives to a delightful personal relationship with him.  
   Yes, let’s lift our eyes to the Way, so we can walk through the Gate. Jesus is the life-giving Way to dwell in God’s blessings. In the kingdom of God, the grass truly is greener in his pasture. Enter to “taste and see that the Lord is good, for blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8) In joy, remember Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
  
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being the gateway to my salvation. I rejoice in the pastures of your redemption, the green grass of your love, the still waters of your truth. Amen.
 
 

John 15:22-23 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well.”
 
WE may read these words and think, “If people never hear the gospel, they will not be guilty of sin. They will go to heaven.” But this is not Jesus’ meaning. This is never the Bible’s teaching.
   In contrast, the Bible declares there is no one who does not know of God. For example, Paul writes in Romans 1:18-20 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (underline mine) All of us know sin. And in Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
   Jesus, then, is referring specifically to the Pharisees’ sin.  “Their sin” is rejecting Jesus’ personal appearance to them. “They have no excuse for their sin,” Jesus says, because they have personally seen the Son of God! He is standing before them in the flesh. They have heard his testimonies of himself, of the Spirit and of the Father. These learned men have listened to his teachings. The Jewish authorities could touch the Lord, see his miracles, hear his voice and witness thousands of people go to him for teaching and healing. John the Baptist had testified of Jesus’ identity. The Father had declared, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22b) Daily these men read the prophets and the law – words pointing to Jesus.
   In those prophetic words, God had said he would come, how he would come and what he would do. Then Jesus came to fulfill the Word. Still, the Jews refused to say, “Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. He is the Son of God.” Despite the evidence, they rejected the God who had so personally interjected himself into their lives.
   Do you personally see Jesus today? After all, you have the same evidence as the Jews. The Holy Bible is the law, the prophets and the gospel of God. We can even “touch” him through the testimonies of many whom he has dramatically transformed with his life-changing salvation. People saved from deadly illnesses, addictions or life-stifling sins, for example, will testify of the Lord’s personal touch to make them new. We see, too, God’s, “Yes.” answers to “impossible prayers”. And we watch faithful believers make a difference in the world just as Jesus promised they would.
   Our God is personal. He has promised he would come into the world. He has come in the flesh. Then Jesus promised he would send the Spirit. Now the Spirit very personally dwells within the lives of those who confess, “I have seen Jesus in my life.”
   Be alert, too. He promises to come again. He will one day. And there will be no excuse. Are you ready? Are you helping others be ready to personally receive the Lord?
 
Prayer: Lord, I confess I have made excuses to deny your call on my life. I pray for faith to touch you, to hear you and to know you as my personal Lord and Savior. Amen.
    
  

John 15:20-21 “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you, also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.”
 
DO you become discouraged because it seems no one wants to know about Jesus? You talk to your family, co-workers and neighbors, strangers and your church about God’s care and blessings. In love and unity with God’s Holy Spirit, you offer to pray for people and lend a helping hand. Yet, many reject you. But be encouraged. As disappointing as this reaction to God is, Jesus said this would happen.
   The Bible tells you there are two distinct categories of people: those who do not believe in God and those who do. Recorded biblical history defines the difference in every generation since Adam and Eve. Why then, would it be different now?
   Yes, Jesus has come. The New Testament of grace has been delivered and preached. Millions, perhaps billions, have confessed Jesus is Lord of their lives. But there are millions, likely billions, who have not.
   Jesus warned and at the same time encouraged his disciples to know they would rejoice and also
 struggle in their ministry. He assured them that many would oppose them. As some received Jesus in the early church, many more rejected him.
   This is one reason we have the gospels and epistles now. John, for example, wrote this gospel and other letters to evangelize and to defend the truth. Hebrews was written specifically to Jews who refused to receive Jesus as Messiah. Paul’s epistles were written mainly to churches who experienced failed faith and division because of false teachings. Much of John is about Jesus preparing his disciples for his departure. He speaks in many ways to strengthen their faith in him. Here he is forthright to tell them how their ministry will be. His warnings of unbelief are preparation for the struggle all disciples encounter.  
   Look again, too, at John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Our Lord had just washed his disciples’ feet. They are in awe of Jesus’ slave-like act. He has set an example in his work. He has set an example in his teaching. Gospel preaching is being a slave to the truth. We must tell it at all costs with no expectation of personal rewards. All we do is for the Master’s glory.
   In faith and hope move on to those who will receive Jesus. Be quietly persistent to do the Lord’s will. Be encouraged. When your servant heart is as Jesus’ heart, God will move you past the unbelievers to discover those who believe.
   One other thing. Sometimes people who reject your words will receive another’s teaching. Or the Spirit will awaken them later to the truth. The Lord works in his time. Join him. Rejoice he has chosen you to serve the kingdom of God.
   There is no greater task than to be God’s tool of salvation into eternal life. Live in joy you get to do this. Your joy, then, will be complete.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray I am not discouraged when people reject your love and care. I pray I am faithful to complete the work you call me to do with you. Amen.  
 
 

John 15:17-19 “This is my command: Love each other. 18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
 
DURING our verse-by-verse walk through John, perhaps you have wondered, “Why does Jesus often repeat his teachings as, “Love each other.”
   You can understand Jesus’ teaching and preaching methods when you briefly look at your family, city, nation, and church. Love is often minimal (if it exists at all) between “one another” isn’t it? We don’t need to be told, “Irritate one another. Be jealous of one another. Let pride guide your relationships. Do not forgive others.” These ways of destruction are the normal ways between people. From Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 until today, history has recorded mankind does not naturally base our relationships on, “Love each other.”
   Even more, John’s record of Jesus’ repetitions comes from an apostle who has seen the world’s violent opposition to Jesus. He is the sole survivor of the apostles who were martyred for their love for Jesus and for one others. The apostles loved the Jews and the Gentiles so much, they gave their lives that many would be saved. Acts 12:1-3 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
   The elder apostle has witnessed much division in the church. He has seen that love is too often missing. 1 John 2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. When love is minimal, evil will intrude, sometimes subtly, always dividing, turning our love for others into love for self.   
   Yes, the world’s ways are our natural ways to live. Jesus repeatedly urges us out of the natural into his supernatural power. His love is above all earthly love. To be sure, as the world constantly attacks our faith, even hates us for our faith, the church and our Lord, we must be even more diligent to demonstrate John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
   Even if people hate you because you speak of Jesus, rejoice and be true to the Lord. Keep in mind he will reward your love with abundant joy forever. No measure of the world is so important that it should keep us from a Jesus-like love for one another.
 
Prayer: Strengthen my love for others, Lord God. Always keep my mind on your repeated commands to remain in your love. It is the only place I want to be. Amen.

John 15:15-16 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
 
MOST of us have often heard and been assured, “Jesus is your friend.” “What a friend we have in Jesus” is a popular hymn as it reminds us Jesus bears all our sins and grief. The song teaches us we can take our needs to the Lord in prayer. The hymn was written to draw us into a closer, trusting relationship with the Best Friend ever!
   Thus, Jesus words here may seem to be of little impact to his disciples. “Of course. He’s our friend!” they might affirm.
   But in truth, for the Master to call his disciples “friends” is a significant change in the way God in the future will relate to his disciples in that upper room and to us forever. Consider that God has spoken many times in the law and the prophets to declare his holiness and majesty. He has formed the world. Then he set apart one nation in ancient times to worship him with very specific laws and structures. The Lord God has even warned and judged the Jews against casually coming before him.
   God is holy. His name is not be profaned, spoken informally. Devout Jews never spoke the name of God for fear of blaspheming his name. But then Jesus, the Son of the Holy God, says, “I have called you friends.”
   Why? Well, let’s understand what a friend is. Look here: Psalms 55:13-14 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. We understand then, that God-centered friends are alike. They have similar thoughts and desires. Friends experience true fellowship as they care for each other in many ways. Sometimes they correct one another. Often they praise and support each other. You can say that good friends know each other’s business – their thoughts, deeds and desires – because they are likeminded.
   In this manner, the Son of God has elevated his disciples from servants to friends. This is the result of Jesus’ transforming their minds to know God’s business. Think how gracious our Lord is to have told his disciples “everything that I learned from my Father.” This is evidence of his friendship. This is why we know he bears our sins and grief, why we can pray to him. His intimate revelation of the Father’s will is God’s revealed kingdom truth. Think of it! God did not isolate himself from his creation. He came to be your friend, so you will know his mind. In response, you will live as he did – to make the Father known to His world.
   From that night on, it was the disciples’ responsibility to do Jesus’ business. They would live as their friend Jesus to transact kingdom business. Because of their new knowledge, they are equipped, as their friend Jesus, to do the work of God on earth.
   We can be sure that our friendship with Jesus does not give us the ability to tell Jesus what to do. Instead, friendship with the Lord draws us into one mind with the Lord’s teachings. We learn his business of salvation into the world, so we can transact that business.
   For the second time, Jesus promises “Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” Remember that this refers to your prayers being as Jesus would pray. You will know what to pray when you trust, “What a friend I have in Jesus.”
 
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for telling me the Father’s business. I pray to be about his business on earth. Amen.
 

John 15:12-14 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
 
HERE and in the law and the prophets of the Old Testament, God connects loving him to obeying his commands. Too, we remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-38 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.” Do you wonder how God can command love?
   God’s will is for his people to know that love for him and for one another is a choice. Yes, love is an emotion we have at various levels for different people. But a God-centered love is a Spirit-empowered decision to do God’s purposes on earth.
   When Jesus speaks of the Great Commandment, for example, he connects it to the Good Samaritan story to illustrate true love for God and neighbors. (See Luke 10:27-37.) James, too, encourages the church to demonstrate God’s love by caring for people in need, obeying the Lord’s commands.
   Then see in verse 13 the world’s greatest example of active love, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” This is Jesus, the Son of God, declaring he loves his disciples with the greatest love of all. His death has become an example of extraordinary love for God and for us. Jesus didn’t come to say, “I love you.” with his emotions and then go away. He came to demonstrate, “I love you.” with God’s extraordinary love power to redeem the world through God’s commands.
   Jesus loves the Lord God – his Father in heaven – with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. And he loves you. The cross tells us so. Rejoice in his love and receive it.
   Great love focuses on God. You actively pursue his commands. You purposefully decide to obey his commands. In turn, you “lay down your life” to obey the Father’s will. Sometimes it is a physical death. Always it is to die to yourself, so you will live for Christ. Romans 15:17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.  
   Do God’s true love. Decide today to love God more than anything and anyone else in your life. You in turn will experience a growing love for his people. You will be prepared to do God’s love wherever he sends you.
 
Prayer: I decide this day, Lord God, that I will love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.   

John 15:5-8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
 
ONE essential fact to know about Jesus’ preaching is that he does not compromise right and wrong. I know, to many of us, this is obvious. “He’s the Lord!” we proclaim. But in the church and in the world, many people attempt to form his truth into their own desires.
   See Jesus’ sure words. With, “I tell you the truth.” And as he often said, “Believe me when I say….” the Son of God sets a firm line on truth boundaries. God so loved the world he sent Jesus to preach God’s true, living word.
   To be Jesus’ disciple, then, you need go to Jesus and stay with Jesu. “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Effective disciples bear fruit, cause kingdom change in the Spirit’s power. They are God’s agents to redeem the world. How could we consider this possible apart from Jesus? To purposely disconnect yourself from Jesus, you are not his disciple.
   I know this may seem too harsh. But Jesus says it is “the truth”. Why is it we, the church of Christ, struggle so mightily? The truth is, life is always a struggle without the Savior. Yes, we say and act as if we want to know the Bible. But what happens? Unfortunately, we decide what to receive and dismiss. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the Life.”  (John 14:6) because he is.
   Still we rebel. “But I like my way!” Choice by choice away from the truth, we witness a growing fracture in our discipleship relationship. “Remain in Jesus” becomes “refrain from Jesus”.
   Know this: A Jesus discipleship life is to strive for perfect obedience. Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This is to be your desire and goal. This is Jesus’ ideal your life. The only way to live this way is to remain in Jesus.
   Yes, Jesus knows you’ll make mistakes. You will sin in your walk with him. Yet, he is the True Vine. The Father has planted the Seed of Life. The Seed has died. The new Vine is growing. The Spirit roots us in the Vine. The Holy Trinity has acted to root you in the Son.
   Hear Jesus’ promise. Remain in his promise. Bear a bounty of fruit. God will be praised. His name will be lifted high in your life. Why would you want anything less?   
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray you remove from me anything that cuts me off from Jesus. I want to be a faithful discipled, glorifying your name. Amen.

John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
  
FRUIT is a wonderful image for our relationship with Jesus. Ripe fruit, grown with the proper nutrients and pruning is a naturally sweet, juicy, tasty and nourishing food.
   And fruit is fragile, isn’t it? For example, oranges must grow on a particular root stock to protect the native orange tree from disease that comes from the soil. Or, too much rain at the wrong time can ruin a strawberry crop. Hail will sometimes bruise and ruin fruit. And if freezing temperatures occur when fruit trees blossom, the crop is reduced and less vital. Good fruit requires good root stock, good soil nutrients, protection from disease, insects and weather. Much can go wrong!
   The vitality and bounty of “kingdom fruit”, too, can easily be reduced or even made useless when we are tempted to cut our relationship with Jesus. As we are tempted to attempt life “my way”, we will be uprooted from the True Vine. At some point, we will discover we have lost Jesus’ nourishing, protective, tender care. Oh, life can seem good for a time. Perhaps for many years we might believe life separate from the Vine is just fine.
   But without Jesus’ true Way of God’s Word feeding your soul, you will one day discover there is no lasting flavor, no nutrition in your lifelong work. We see an example of this from Solomon, the wisdom endowed king, who cut himself from God. Check out the book of Ecclesiastes and read how Solomon felt about life “off the vine”: Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” How tragic, how common to hear this from our world. How sad to feel this in our souls. How wise Solomon became as he realized he missed God. What do we do?
   Connect to Jesus. Stay rooted to Jesus. The central theme of John 15 is Jesus’ great, nourishing love for the Father and for you. He longs to tend to your heart, so you develop a vibrant, productive spiritual life. He calls you to loving obedience, so you will know the fullness of love for him and for one another. “Remain in me,” he says because he wants you to always be nourished into a full life of meaning and purpose. He wants you to bear fruit, too, so you will nourish others to advance the Kingdom of God on earth.
   An effective disciple is one who remains securely connected with the Vine. Be good fruit. Bear good fruit for his kingdom. Glorify the Vine and the Branch.
 
Prayer: Jesus, you are the true Vine, rooted in the Father. I pray I am a fruitful branch, completely grafted into you. Amen.