Enduring Word John 15 (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of John 15? ›

He presents the analogy of a vine and branches, then repeats His command for believers to love each other. Jesus also warns about how the unbelieving world will hate and persecute Christians. This leads into the teachings of chapter 16, which focus on perseverance in the face of trials.

Introduction. On the final evening of His mortal ministry, after the Last Supper, the Savior taught His Apostles that He is the True Vine and that His disciples are the branches. He commanded His disciples to love one another and warned them of the persecution they would experience because of their association with Him ...

God's intent for our lives is to progress from barrenness to fruitfulness, to spiritual abundance. Jesus also repeats His command for believers to love each other. In this context, He goes so far as to refer to those who follow His teachings as His "friends."

John 15:14 (NIV)

Jesus tells us we are not to consider ourselves as the Lord's friend if our choices are to habitually refuse to follow His commands. That is, quite frankly, a pipe dream destined to simply go up in smoke. Furthermore, to be his friend carries with it abundant joy and peace.

There has been considerable dispute over the nature of the “fruit” that is envisaged [in this text]: the fruit, we are told, is obedience, or new converts, or love, or Christian character.

Jesus' role as the vine is twice identified, in verse 1 as “the true vine” and in verse 5 as “the vine.” This is the life source of the branches. It is God who tends to the flourishing of the branches, and likewise will “remove[s] every branch” (John 15:2) that gives no yield.

Although ostensibly addressing his disciples, most scholars conclude the chapter was written with events concerning the later church in mind. Jesus is presented as explaining the relationship between himself and his followers, seeking to model this relationship on his own relationship with his Father.

The purpose of Chapter 15, and the Model Law on which it is based, is to provide effective mechanisms for dealing with insolvency cases involving debtors, assets, claimants, and other parties of interest involving more than one country.

“Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit” (John 15:5). The God who produced the universe wants his people to be productive too. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8). Our ability to do work that makes a lasting difference in the world is a great gift from God.

In summary, John 15:4-5 reveals the depth of the Christian faith and the importance of staying connected to our vine, Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us that our union with Him is essential to a fruitful life, and we must remain actively connected to Him to achieve greatness according to His will.

Why did Jesus say I have chosen you? ›

His choice was a recreating, resurrecting, life-giving choice when he called you by name and you were born again and made a child of God. Your choice was all response and trust in his commitment to you. The other sense in which Christ chose you differently than you chose him is in the call to ministry.

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” In other words, you abide in me and I will bear my fruit through you. And you don't have to worry about fruit bearing if you are abiding. The problem is when you're not abiding apart for me, you can do nothing.

Bible Study Ideas and Commentary for John 15:1-17

In Jesus' final teaching to His disciples, He explains that our obedience to Him not only proves that we are His friend and disciple, but also that our obedience is how we experience the joy of our salvation. Through our obedience, we remain in Christ and glorify God.

Jesus wants us to know that we are branches who cannot stand alone. Jesus himself is our gardener who continuously nourishes our spirit. If we remain faithful to Him, our life will prosper and bear much fruit. If we remain loyal to our belief, the hard work we did will result into more than we ever expected.

Christ's statement in John 15:13 demonstrates His boundless love for us. Jesus literally laid down His own life for His friends, those who obey Him (verse 14). He exhibited the most remarkable display of love when He died for our sins, showing what true, selfless love looks like.

Just as the branches can't grow fruit unless they are connected to the vine, we can't do anything useful unless we are following closely after Jesus. He is the key to our relationship with God.

John 15 teaches us what it means to abide in Jesus, to know and have a relationship with Him. This will lead to fruitfulness in our lives and glorifies the Father. We can be certain now, in this very moment of living, that we abide in Jesus and have a relationship with Him, our eternity secure after death.