April 22, 2020
In Christ
John 15:1-17
Rachel Cox
Central Truth
Christ, in joy and in obedience, laid down His life for you so that, in Him, you may have abundant life and bear fruit for the glory of God!
Key Verse | John 15:11
"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
John 15:1-17
I Am the True Vine
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.
12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, 1 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Footnotes
[1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20Dive Deeper | John 15:1-17
Abide means to remain (in Christ), to dwell (in Christ), to be held or kept continually (in Christ), to tarry (in Christ), and to wait (in Christ). Abiding is actively dwelling on what Christ has done on our behalf!
Why does Jesus want us to abide in Him and abide in His love? Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11) For our good, He did the greatest good. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to look to Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Christ kept the commandments of the Father (John 15:10b) and was obedient to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). It was Jesus' joy to obey the Father and lay down His life for His friends, for you (John 15:15). You see, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Christ, in joy and in obedience, laid down His life for you so that, in Him, you may have abundant life and bear fruit for the glory of God!
It is our joy, in response to all Christ has done, to abide! We joyfully get to dwell in His love, rest in His sacrifice, and remain in His truth. We need Christ, just as the branches need the vine to sustain them, direct them, give them nourishment and thus life! We need to recognize our need for Christ and dwell in Him. How will you abide in Christ's love today?
Discussion Questions
1. Look at this definition of abide. "Abide means to remain (in Christ), to dwell (in Christ), to be held or kept continually (in Christ), to tarry (in Christ), and to wait (in Christ)! Abiding is actively dwelling on what Christ has done on our behalf!" How does this definition help you understand John 15:1-17 better?
2. Who is your source of strength to bear fruit? (See John 15:5.)
3. What does fruit look like in the life of a believer? (See Galatians 5:22-23.) Is this fruit evident in your life?
4. What aspect of God's character can you abide in today? Take some time today to dwell (abide) in Christ's redemptive work on the cross.