Abiding in Jesus’ Life is Active, Productive, Fruitful Joy: RRE 40
Religion Ruins Everything Daily 10.20.16 from One Life Network on Vimeo.
[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:1–11 ESV
On the night before Jesus died, He is telling His disciples some pretty critical details about life. One thing that stands out is that He wants them to abide with Him and share in His joy! He tells them things about being His friend and not servants, children and not orphans, participants instead of spectators.
One parable is where He compares Himself and them to a vine and branches. There were numerous grape arbors around where they had visited, so they would all be familiar with how a grape vine grows. There is the main strong vine, and then off of that grow many smaller green branches. As long as the branches bear fruit, the vine dresser would prune them and take care of them to make more fruit. If they didn’t produce any fruit, but just leaves and shade, the vine dresser would cut them off.
If we are connected to Jesus we will bear a lot of fruit for His kingdom. That fruit might be invisible and internal – just helping us to not be bitter or to have self control when tempted with lust or some such thing. Other times that fruit is very visible, like buying someone a car or letting a single mom live in your house while she gets back on her feet.
Obedience to His commands is to abide in Him. This is at the core of abiding in Him and being with Him. He says Himself that He is sharing these things so that our joy will be complete. We are happiest when we are actively participating with Him in what He is doing. Every day we have a chance to look at Jesus and to look for fruit in our lives. Draw near to Him today and ask Him about what needs to be pruned and what needs to be trashed, and He’ll help you, with joy, to abide in Him more.