John 15:1-17
Jesus is the True Vine and His Father is the Master Gardener
1 “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, as I also 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.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are 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 done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 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 so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Jesus teaches us the importance of relationships...Jesus was One who was and is always building relationships...He went from village to village meeting and teaching others...He taught about love, kindness, and His Father...That is why I believe He teaches us that we are to love God and to love all our neighbors...It is also why He told His Disciples, "I AM the vine; you are the branches...If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing...If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned...If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you...This is to My Father’s Glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples."...
The lesson Jesus was teaching His Disciples was that they were to meet others and teach others about Him, through His LOVE...Then relationships and fellowship would grow...People would live more in harmony knowing Him...And we read much in the four gospels about His relationships after He met others...Jesus had close relationships with His Disciples and He interacted with a wide circle of people, as He traveled from village to village...
But there were times when He wanted to pray and be alone with His Father...Jesus did have periods of solitude for prayer and reflection...However, He spent a significant amount of time with His Disciples, a core group of followers He called to learn from Him...The Gospels depict them traveling together, sharing meals, and witnessing His teachings and miracles...
So Jesus did not only have relationships with His Disciples...We learn that Jesus wasn't solely focused on His Twelve Disciples...He interacted with a variety of people, including crowds who came to hear Him teach, the sick seeking healing, and religious authorities who challenged Him...The people they were meeting is what Jesus was describing as the fruit...He LOVED all the people, and wanted them to teach them about His Father in Heaven...
Jesus interacted well because He was a Great Teacher and a Great Healer...He is both Divine and Human...A key aspect of Jesus' ministry was engaging with people...He taught in synagogues, marketplaces, and on hillsides...He healed the sick, demonstrating God's LOVE and Power...These interactions wouldn't have been possible if He were entirely Solitary Person...He wanted to meet others and teach them about the Kingdom of God...
So, while Jesus valued moments of solitude, His ministry was very much about connection and interaction with others...He built relationships with His Disciples and reached out to others with His message of love and compassion and forgiveness...He wants His followers to meet others and have a fellowship that is one of love and togetherness, who believes in His Father...