Daily Devotions
John
John 15:1-17 "THE STRIKING PICTURE OF A FRUITFUL VINE"
Day 214 – John 15
THE STRIKING PICTURE OF A FRUITFUL VINE
One of the most powerful ways in which Jesus taught His Disciples was to employ effective imagery. The imagery of being the True Vine and the branches was vivid and striking. Even as He spoke about the branches bearing fruit, a mental picture was imprinted on the Disciples’ consciousness. It was not difficult to picture Jesus as the True Vine, and the Father working as the Vinedresser, pruning the branches. In that picture were branches, laden with luscious grapes, as evidence of the good work done by the Divine Vinedresser.
THE CONCEPT OF ABIDING IN CHRIST
How wonderful it would be if the mental picture could prove to be true! Would it be really possible for the Disciples to bear much fruit? Jesus then brought up the concept of abiding in Him.
“Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you,
unless you abide in Me.”
John 15:4
Jesus had extended the metaphor further. He was addressing what was in the mind of the Disciples. Could they really be fruitful? Yes, they could, but only if they had learned how to abide in Him!
What did the word “abide” really mean? In just one sentence, Jesus used the same word three times over. Obviously, it was important, or He would not have used the word “abide” repeatedly. The word “abide” literally meant, “to remain”. How was a branch related to the vine? Of course it must be vitally and firmly connected to the vine. As long as the branch is vitally linked to the Vine, it will always be able to receive the nourishment it needs. In the process of time, the branch will bear fruit naturally.
Jesus had used the word “abide” to refer to the connection that branches must sustain with the Vine. Though the illustration was simple and clear enough, the Disciples knew that the challenge to abide in Christ was not an easy thing to achieve. Branches had a simpler task. They were just naturally connected to the vine. The Disciples would have to work at understanding and practising the concept of abiding in Jesus!
“ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU…”
This was an important lesson that the Disciples must learn well. How were they to practise abiding in Christ? How would they know that they were abiding in Jesus? How could they be consistent in abiding in Jesus? These must have been some of the questions that went through the minds of the Disciples, as they sought to fathom what Jesus meant when He spoke about abiding in Him. Let us consider the following thoughts as we meditate on the idea of abiding in Christ.
1. It must mean that they would never desert Jesus
The Disciples had seen people dropping out after following Jesus for a while. There was initial enthusiasm about following Him. However, along the way, those who had followed Jesus turned their back on Him, never to walk with Him again. This was what “abiding” was not! Surely, abiding in Jesus meant that they would stick with Him through thick and thin!
2. It must mean that they would consciously sustain their relationship with Jesus
Faith in Jesus meant that there was a vital relationship between Teacher and Disciple. That relationship must be appreciated, sustained and developed. It is possible for a pupil to switch off his mind when his teacher explains his lesson. It is possible for a pupil not to have a relationship with his teacher. The idea of “abiding” as far as Jesus was concerned was a two-way relationship. Both pupil and teacher must “abide” in their relationship with each other!
3. It requires effort on the part of the Disciple to abide in Christ
There was no problem with Jesus abiding in His Disciples. Once He committed Himself
to caring for them and loving them as His Disciples, He loved them to the very end (John 13:1). The challenge lay with the Disciples and their effort at abiding in their Teacher. Could they abide in Him, even as He had taught them by example how He loved them and cared for them?
THE PROBLEM OF “NOT ABIDING IN CHRIST”
Jesus had given obvious emphasis to the concept of abiding in Him! Why had He stressed this point – because He had noted a very human trait? The fact was that the average human being did not know how to abide in anything for too long. Let us raise up just two difficulties many face in their life.
1. Loss of interest
Many lose interest before too long. Children do not know how to sustain interest for long periods of time. Young people often complain of being bored. Adults do not fare all that well either. They just learn how to hide their loss of interest better.
2. Loss of commitment
Few are deeply committed to anything for life! Faith in Jesus was meant to be a life-long relationship, but few have that staying power. Many are distracted along the way. Others are discouraged. Still others become dispirited after some time!
ADDRESSING PROBLEMS DIRECTLY
Jesus wanted His Disciples to deal with these problems in their lives! Nobody has an easy time being a fruitful Disciple! The believer must cry out to the Vinedresser to prune away the things that make him unable to abide in Christ, if he desires to be fruitful. Any attempt to avoid the discussion of the issue of not abiding in Christ is truly foolish.