Jesus Is The True Vine [John 15:1-17] Jesus OFFERS AN EXTENDED METAPHOR OF THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES. ALTHOUGH ISRAEL WAS OFTEN PORTRAYED AS THE VINE OF God (e.g., Isaiah 5:7), Jesus NOW PRESENTS Himself AS THE TRUE VINE (John 15:1). IN FACT, Jesus CONSISTENTLY PRESENTS Himself AS THE FAITHFUL REPLACEMENT OF THE UNFAITHFUL NATION (e.g., when He condemns the temple). THE TWO CATEGORIES OF BRANCHES (alive or dead) CORRESPOND TO THE TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE: BELIEVERS OR UNBELIEVERS. THE DEAD, UNFRUITFUL BRANCHES ARE CUT OFF (John 15:2, 6), WHILE THE LIVING, FRUITFUL BRANCHES ARE PRUNED SO THAT THEY MAY BEAR EVEN MORE FRUIT (John 15:2-5). JUST AS BRANCHES MUST REMAIN IN THE VINE IN ORDER TO BEAR FRUIT, SO DISCIPLES MUST STAY VITALLY CONNECTED TO Jesus BY KEEPING His WORD (John 15:4-5, 9-10). THOSE WHO ABIDE IN Jesus WILL EXPERIENCE ANSWERED PRAYER AND BEAR FRUIT TO THE GLORY OF God (John 15:7-8). THE BASIS FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP IS Jesuss LOVE, AND THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE IS OBEDIENCE, WHICH IN TURN PRODUCES ENORMOUS JOY (John 15:9-11). AGAIN, Jesus COMMANDS US TO LOVE EACH OTHER AS He HAS LOVED US BY LAYING His LIFE FOR US (John 15:12-13). Jesuss DISCIPLES ARE NOW TRUSTED friends TO WHOM He WILL REVEAL THE Father (John 15:14-15). WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND APPOINTED BY Jesus TO BEAR LASTING FRUIT, AS WE CALL ON THE Father IN PRAYER AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER (John 15:16-17). [The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook]
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 07:44:36 +0000