John 15:1-27
Bear fruit.
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JOHN 15:1-27
1 "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. 3 You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me - and I in him - bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples.
9 "Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment is this - to love one another just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this - that one lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 17 This I command you - to love one another.
18 "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates me hates my Father too. 24 If I had not performed among them the miraculous deeds that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen the deeds and have hated both me and my Father. 25 Now this happened to fulfill the word that is written in their law, 'They hated me without reason.' 26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send you from the Father - the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father - he will testify about me, 27 and you also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:1-27)
BEAR FRUIT
1 “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. … 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me - and I in him - bears much fruit. … 10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. … 12 My commandment is this - to love one another just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this - that one lays down his life for his friends. (John 15:1-2,5,10,12)
This chapter introduces several key concepts, including cutting and pruning, bearing fruit, remaining in Christ, obeying the commandments, and loving one another. These concepts are interconnected, and I’m aiming to interpret the entire chapter under the theme of “Bearing Fruit.”
The progression of ideas in this chapter emphasizes the central concept of bearing fruit, as evidenced by the frequent repetition of the word “fruit” (eight times). The subsequent concepts presented in the chapter guide us on how to effectively “bear fruit” for God.
The initial condition for bearing fruit is our connection as branches to the vine, which is Christ. To maintain this connection, we must abide in Him. However, abiding in Him necessitates obedience to His commandments. His primary commandment is that we love one another, just as He has loved us. And how did He love us? He demonstrated His love by laying down His life for us.
Let’s delve into the depth of the love commandment that Jesus imparts to us. He employs the Greek word “agape,” signifying the highest form of love, a love that only God can fully exemplify.
When Jesus questioned Peter three times about his love, we observe an intriguing interaction. In the first two instances, Jesus inquired if Peter “agape” Him, but Peter responded with “phileo,” a type of affection associated with friendship, distinct from the profound “agape” love. Surprisingly, in the third inquiry, Jesus adapted to Peter’s level and employed the term “phileo,” to which Peter comfortably replied with affirmation.
Furthermore, Jesus attaches a crucial qualifier to this love commandment: “just as I have loved you.” It’s the “agape” love that Jesus is asking of us. Can any of us confidently assert that we are prepared to lay down our lives for our brethren? Even if we were placed in a situation demanding such sacrifice, we would remain imperfect offerings, unacceptable to God, as only Jesus stands as the flawless Lamb of God.
Now, the question arises: why would Jesus give us a commandment that seems impossible to obey? The answer to this question is rather straightforward. At this point in time, the Old Covenant is still in effect because Jesus has not yet gone to the cross to inaugurate the New Covenant. He is still emphasizing to people the futility of trying to attain God’s righteousness through obedience to the commandments. Although Jesus’ disciples have been with Him for some time, they have not fully grasped His plan for saving humanity from their sins and reconciling them to God.
Let’s fast-forward to the book of Galatians to gain insight into how the Apostle Paul explains the purpose behind Jesus reiterating the role of the law:
23Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. (Galatians 3:23-24)
Unfortunately, many Christians don’t see this transition between the covenants, they don’t see that the law must stop being their guardian when Christ came. They become lukewarm Christians who serve two masters.
So, how can you continue to abide in Christ in order to bear fruit? You achieve this by approaching Christ in faith instead of clinging to the guidance of your former guardian, the law.
Nghi Nguyen
- Scripture quoted by permission. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: This is my own opinion on the topic, which does not necessarily reflect the church's theology, or beliefs of the individuals in it — Nghi Nguyen
