A Not So Final Farewell (Part 3)
4TH and 1
A Not So Final Farewell (Part 3)
The Vine and the Branches (15:1-17)
Throughout
the Old Testament and into the New, the vine was used as a symbol for Israel.
Here, with his final I AM statement (1, 5), Jesus says He is the true vine (the
true Israel). In other words, in the New Covenant, the people of God were
defined not by being ‘in Israel,’ but by being ‘in Christ.’
Jesus
is the vine and the Father is the gardener (1). The gardener cuts off branches
that bear no fruit (2a). Such branches are thrown into the fire and wither away
(6). But even fruitful branches are pruned so that they may become even more
fruitful (2b).
Jesus
is the vine and we are the branches. The branches of a vine should produce much
lasting fruit (5, 16). This will inevitably occur if the vine is good (Jesus
is) and the branches remain connected. Remaining connected equates to receiving
Jesus’ word (3, 7a), actively praying (7b, 16b), and obeying His commands (10,
14), especially the command to love each other as Jesus loved (9, 12, 17).
Jesus’ love went beyond loving as one loves themselves, and toward putting
others first (13).
This
metaphor yields itself to the idea of greater intimacy and joy (11). God’s
people are no longer to be considered merely His servants, but also His friends
(15a). Without ceasing to be servants, we gain the blessing of accessing the
heart and happenings of Christ’s work (15b).
The Hatred of the World
(15:18-16:4)
Presenting
the Gospel puts people in a place of decision (22). It is not just a decision
about Jesus, but ultimately a decision about God because Jesus and the Father
are One (23-24). People will respond in one of two ways.
Those
parts of the world that are in rebellion against God will hate His people
(18-19). This sort of rejection should not come as a surprise considering the
fact that Jesus, too, was rejected by the world (20a). Indeed, Jesus warned the
disciples that they would be excommunicated (from the Jewish community, 2a) and
martyred (supposedly, in the name of God, 2b). This forewarning prepared them
for this reality (1, 4)
It
should be remembered, however, that some received Jesus’ teaching (the
disciples, of course, are examples of such). Thus, His disciples should expect
some to respond to their presentation of the Gospel as well (20b). The Spirit
would lead the way in witnessing for Christ (26), but the disciples had an
important role as another witness since they had been with Jesus from the
beginning of His ministry (27).
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