Jesus the True Vine

Lesson #236

With this lesson we will begin chapter 15, which is divided into two major parts by the ESV Bible: I Am the True Vine, and the Hatred of the World. As before we will progress from verse to verse, as space allows, but I am considering a presentation change. Instead of three lessons each week, I am considering five shorter lessons each week. We will see how this works out.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1 ESV). A sort verse that contains so much to think about. I find it interesting to see how much space is taken up by commentators trying to decide when Jesus shared this material with his disciples and what might have prompted him to say this. We will stay focused on the verse and consider the meaning of “I am the true vine” and “my Father is the vinedresser.”

“I am the true vine” is the last of the seven “I AM” statements made in this gospel by Jesus. For a summary of these follow the link to summary. The area around Palestine abounded with vineyards and often used in reference to Jewish people. In Isaiah 5:1 – 7, God compares the illustration of a vineyard that was not bearing fruit to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Juda, who were not bearing fruit with their lives. God looked for justice but instead he found bloodshed. A growing picture of America today. In Jeremiah 2:21 we read of God’s disappointment in his people: “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?” (NIV). Jesus may have had this verse in mind when he referred to himself at the true vine. In this sense, Jesus is real and genuine and truly gives what is emblematically represented by a vine. A vine is a source of life for the branches attached to it. If a branch is cut off it dies. In like manner, Jesus as the vine, is the source of life for us as believers. It is Jesus as our leader and teacher that imparts to us grace and strength to bear the fruit of holiness.

In our next lesson we will consider the role of a vinedresser in producing greater fruit.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the illustration of Jesus being the vine who provides us, the branches, with all we need for life. Father, I am afraid we live depending on physical substance and give little attention to the nourishment our soul needs. Father, challenge us through future studies in this chapter to see the importance of becoming a healthier branch, attached to Jesus the true vine. 

The Ruler of the World is Coming

Lesson #235

With this lesson we will finish chapter 14. Jesus continues to share with the disciples: “And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe” (John 14:29 ESV). At John 13:19, Jesus said: “I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he” (ESV). This is not the first time he has told the disciples he would die. He wanted to be sure that when his time came, they would not be taken by surprise. By explaining to them what was to happen, and then when it does happen just as he said, they might then believe that he was truly the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and that he was then in glory, sitting at the right hand of God.

Time is short, as Jesus says: “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me” (John 14:30 ESV). The remaining time left before the cross will not allow much more to be said. The “ruler of this world” is Satan the devil and is coming to do his work. His plans to kill Jesus seem to be coming together and soon he believes he will have victory over God. His plans are God’s plans because God is allowing him to carry them out. Little does he know what will be accomplished on the cross and that his assumed victory will be turned into his defeat. This reminds me of Haman in Ester 5:13 – 14, who had a gallows fifty cubits high made on which he would have Mordecai hanged, but events did not unfold as he had planned and in Ester 7:9 – 10, we find Haman was hanged in place of Mordecai. Satan’s plans to defeat God will be overcome and Satan defeater. As Jesus suffers on the cross, drawing closer and closer to his death, Satan was feeling pretty good, but then things began to happen and death could not hold onto Jesus and he rose victorious, sealing Satan’s defeat. The ruler of this world came to do his work, but in the end he had no claim on Jesus.

Jesus makes it clear that he is here on earth on assignment. He says: “but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here” (John 14:31 ESV). The obedience of Jesus to carry out the wishes of his Father is evidence of his love for him. Adam Clark, in his commentary, 1832, summarized this verse so well when he wrote: “The reader should carefully note the conduct of our Lord. He goes to die as a Sacrifice, out of love to mankind, in obedience to the Divine will, and with unshaken courage. All our actions should be formed on this plan. They should have the love of God and man for their principle and motive; his glory for their end; and his will for their rule. He who lives and acts thus shall live forever. Amen.” (public domain). It is not easy to walk as Jesus walked because it requires we carry a cross, the meaning of which is clearly described by Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (ESV). This is another uniqueness of Christianity. We must die if we are to truly live. Those who truly live will appear as aliens and strangers (1 Peter 2:11 – 12 NASB) compared to those who don’t. Where on the living scale are you in your walk with the Lord?

Prayer

Father, as we come to the end of chapter 14, I want to pray for those who take time to read and think about these lessons. I am amazed over how many countries of the world readers are found. They represent a variety of cultures and personal experiences. Many with freedom to express their faith in Jesus Christ and some who are found facing persecution. In whatever circumstance they find life, I pray for their endurance to remain faithful in serving the Lord; I pray for needs to be met that are hindering their walk with the Lord; I pray that resentment and the need of justice will be surrendered to God allowing love and forgiveness to rule their hearts; I pray that their souls are being nourished by the Word and that their lives are a living testimony of the wonderful salvation we have in Jesus Christ. 

What is Biblical Peace?

Lesson #234

Try to put yourself in the disciples’ place. What Jesus is telling them and doing is so radically different than what they have experienced or been taught by their Jewish teachers. Jesus tells them about things that will happen and about things they will not understand until later. They don’t know what to think or how it will finally impact them. This is not unlike many nonbelievers today. Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, they are unable to understand many spiritual concepts found in the Bible. We must be careful not to be too harsh with the disciples, because they have much to learn and experience yet.

Jesus continues to say to them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV). “Peace I leave with you” is a Jewish form of salutation and benediction. Jesus desires that they experience peace now and after he leaves. The expression “peace” used by Jesus had a much richer connotation that the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God. For example: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24 – 26 ESV). Also, “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11 NKJV). This peace will manifest itself most clearly in the midst of persecution and tribulation from the world. Remember what Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18 – 19 NKJV). Later in our study, Jesus will say, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). This peace Jesus speaks of is testified of by people currently experiencing persecution in various parts of the world.

The Jews offer empty wishes and the people of the world offer empty compliments, but to the followers of Jesus he gives peace, procures it, preserves it, and establishes it. He is the author, prince, promoter, and keeper of peace. The disciples, and we, are to focus on this and not let our hearts shrink back through fear of any approaching evil. Jesus wants his disciples to understand that this approaching evil will only fall on him, and this evil he is to endure will result in comfort and salvation for them and for us, and in the redemption of a lost world.

Jesus continues to tell them: “You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I” (John 14:28 ESV). Jesus is going away from them through his death and he will come to them by his resurrection. I don’t think there is any question that the disciples loved Jesus, but Jesus was implying that they didn’t have a proper view of him as their Messiah, were still influenced by various Jewish prejudices, and lacked confidence in what he was telling them. If they really understood his mission, they would rejoice because of the benefits they would receive in the person of the Holy Spirit.

What is the meaning of “the Father is greater than I?” Over and over again Jesus has told the disciples that he was sent by his Father. The one who sends is considered greater than the one sent. In this sense, the Father is greater than Jesus, but in terms of the Godhead the Son is equal to the Father.

Prayer

Father as I think of this peace that Jesus gives I am reminded that Paul tells us to “let the peace of Christ rule in [our] hearts, to which indeed [we] were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15 ESV). It is so easy to let other things take over our hearts and as a result we wonder why we experience so much tribulation in our lives. Father, we need to get our priorities straight and let the peace of God rule our hearts because that peace surpasses all understanding and it will guard our hearts and our minds (Philippians 4:7). 

The Importance of the Holy Spirit

Lesson #233

As Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for his departure, he says: “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you” (John 14:25 ESV). For over a year we have studied the things Jesus said and did and to us we understand because we have the New Testament to learn from and we have the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. The disciples were before all of this and to the natural mind they were not able to understand these spiritual applications. Jesus wanted them to hear what he was saying and even if they didn’t understand, they will one day. This understanding will come when they meet Jesus after being raised from the dead and especially when they receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This is the hope Jesus again tells them about.

Jesus continues: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV). The disciples are struggling to understand and Jesus is trying to encourage them by telling them that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in his name, will one day give them understanding. The Holy Spirit will teach them all they need to know when they need to know it. One of the joys of Bible study, especially in preparing these lessons, is being taught by the Holy Spirit. Not only does he teach me new things about verses, but he brings to mind things I learned in the past. I notice this even more as I age and have more trouble remembering things of normal life, but find that my recall of spiritual things continues to grow.

How might “bring to your remembrance” apply to the disciples? First, I think it applies to remembering the things Jesus told them. There was much information that needed to be remembered in order to write the gospels and for the edification of believers and the church. Second, the Holy Spirit would teach them the meaning of those things which Jesus had spoken of that they didn’t understand when he was with them, even though he repeatedly told them. Remember, God chose the Jews to be a light to the Gentiles, but they kept God to themselves. The Gentiles were to also have hope in the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit used Peter to help establish an understanding of this in Acts 10:44 – 48.

I decided to ask Google the question, “What is the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives?” to see what I would get for an answer. I browsed through the information retrieved and chose to look at this link, which provided a list of 50 things the Holy Spirit does.

Prayer

Father, as I think about a closing prayer for this lesson, I am reminded of how we misuse the tools you give us for ministry. We need to be reminded over and over again that you chose us and assigned kingdom work for us to do and gave us tools to use. Three of these tools are prayer, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. We usually use prayer, asking you to meet our needs and to establish greater comfort for us and others. From the Word we are nourished and find directions in how to do our work, but we tend to leave it on the shelf or table. We often seek the Holy Spirit for our enjoyment, not for the purpose of guidance, strength and understanding in doing our assigned work. Are we not like the person who was given the one talent who did not invest it? Father, have mercy on us. 

How Much Do You Love Jesus?

Lesson #232

We have been assured that Jesus will not leave us as orphans as so many children are in the world. It is such a tragic picture to see many children fending for themselves, having lost their parents to the aftermath of evil that surrounds them. We now pick where we left off with Jesus saying: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:21 ESV). Again Jesus stresses the importance between obedience and love. Every one of you who has a Bible, especially the New Testament, has his commandments and if you do it is your responsibility to know them and to keep them. If you don’t, then you show little or no love for Jesus. If by this evidence we show that we love Jesus, then we will experience the Father’s love for us and Jesus will love us and will make himself known to us in clear and understandable ways.

“Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”” (John 14:22 ESV). The “Judas” John names here is identified, in Matthew 10:3, as Lebbeus or Thaddaeus. This disciple wanted to know how Jesus was going to reveal himself to them and not to those in the world. We are not told what he was thinking, but it is apparent he had not thought of the possibility of Jesus appearing inside a closed room with them after his death. Jesus is going to ignore the question and allow time to answer the question when he shows himself.

“Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him”” (John 14:23 ESV). It is clear that Jesus does not want to get sidetracked, but wants to continue to stress the importance of the relationship between obedience and love. Earlier, keeping the commandments was evidence of love for Jesus. Here, evidence of our love for him is seen in our obedience to his word. Notice that Jesus expands what he is saying to include anyone, not just his disciples. As before our obedience is tied to the Fathers love for us. Jesus now adds intimacy by indicating that Jesus and his Father will make their home with us. It is in our heart they will come to rest and live. How this should challenge us to experience this today and not continue to keep friends with the world.

Jesus continues: “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me” (John 14:24 ESV). I believe this statement opens the possibility that one may be obedient as a form of good works (Matthew 7:21-23), but without love the effort is without eternal benefit (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). God is love and if our obedience is not connected to love then we are not obeying for God’s benefit but for ours. Jesus repeats what he said in John 12:49: “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (ESV). What Jesus has been saying is not from him as a man, but is from his Father who sent him.

Prayer

Father, as I think about this lesson, several verses come to mind. “. . . Jesus said to those . . . who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” (John 8:30 – 32 NKJV). Father, it is so easy to spend time with things of the world, like Facebook or watching sports, as two examples, but nearly impossible to spend equal time with as much attention to seeking to know the truth found in the Bible. Maybe deception is to blame. “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9 NKJV). “. . . there is no truth in [the devil]. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 ESV). It seems that Satan will do his best to deceive us into thinking the truth is not important and will look for every opportunity to tell us that it isn’t. Embracing these lies leads us into the bondage of sin, but embracing the truth will set us free. Father, we as western believers desperately need your help in this matter. 

Not Left as Orphans

Lesson #231

We have considered the connection between love and obedience and have learned that Jesus was going to ask the Father to send us a Helper. We know that happened because later books of the New Testament testify that he did and we personally know he did because he bears witness of his presence in our lives. Jesus continues by saying, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18 ESV). Some translations replace orphans with the words comfortless, desolate, all alone and bereaved. Orphans is a good translation because the disciples of a particular teacher among the Hebrews called him father; his scholars were called his children and on his death, they were considered as orphans. In John 13:33, Jesus referred to his disciples as little children and now that he is about to be removed from them by death, he assures them that they shall not be left fatherless, or without a teacher. He assures them that he will come to them again; that he would rise from the dead and appear to them. Then after his ascension they will receive the Holy Spirit, which will comfort them and be their advocate, teacher, and guide forever.

After being assured that they will not be left as orphans, Jesus continues to encourage the disciples by saying, “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19 ESV). Once Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb the world will no longer see him, but for the disciples and other believers, that would not be the case. Jesus will rise from the dead and his resurrection will be proof and a pledge that the disciples and also for us that we will rise likewise. Jesus will live a life of intercession for us at the right hand of God and while here on earth we will live a life of grace and peace and then a life of glory hereafter.

When the disciples see Jesus after his death they will realize an important fact: “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” (John 14:20 ESV). After his resurrection, the disciples will be more fully convinced of this important truth, that Jesus and the Father are One, for he will live in them by his Spirit, and they shall live in him by faith, love and obedience. One of these meeting times is as follows: “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”” (John 20:19 ESV). This was very convincing!

Prayer

Father, when I feel alone or unloved or troubled, I turn to you and by faith I see myself as a little boy sitting on your lap, being help close and told how much you love me. Father, what a beautiful experience that is; one the world knows nothing about and maybe even those who are flirting with the world don’t understand. Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit who lives within me and assures me that I am your child and that I am secure in Jesus Christ. 

The Promise of a Helper

Lesson #230

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John14:15 ESV) and then he spoke about the Helper he was going to have the Father send to help us keep those commandments. Jesus continues: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16 – 17 ESV). Our salvation, Jesus is going to the cross to purchase, is much more than simply a ticket to heaven. The following verses suggest various aspects of our salvation we need to think about. “Jesus answered and said to [Nicodemus], "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."” (ESV). This new birth provides us with eternal, spiritual life, by connecting us to Jesus Christ like a branch is connected to a vine. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (connected to Christ to draw life from him) he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). That new creation is also referred to as God’s temple, because God’s Spirit dwells there: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV). This salvation starts at our being born again, but it is not complete until we receive our new bodies in heaven. Between these two end points we have a responsibility: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12 – 13 ESV). That which was born spiritually needs to mature. That maturing process is a joint effort between us and God and is referred to as working out our salvation. This working out our salvation brings us back to verse 16 and the Helper Jesus was going to ask the Father to send to us.

The word “Helper” in the ESV translation is replaced with “Advocate”, “Comforter”, “Counselor” and “Paraclete in some other translations. Each of these conveys a different emphasis on what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. As a helper the Holy Spirit will help us with working out our salvation and do daily living. He will also help us understand the Scriptures and convict us of our sin. When life is difficult, because of the various trials we may experience, He comes along side to help us experience greater comfort in the midst of our suffering. There are times when we are not sure how to decide about something. He is there as our counselor to guide us to the right choice. Paraclete is an old word found in older translations and generally has the same meaning as counselor.

This Helper that Jesus will have the Father send to us will be with us from the day we are born again. He will dwell within us forever. He is called the Spirit of truth and “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13 ESV). The Holy Spirit is a live communications connection between God and our spirit. He is our perfect guide and teacher. This Spirit of truth, who dwells with us and in in us, is not seen or known or available to the world. He is available only to those who are born again and become God’s temple for him to dwell in.

Prayer

Father, thank you that our salvation is not just an eternal extension of life as we know it today. Thank you that we become a new creation, a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Thank you for the role he plays in our life, now and throughout eternity. Thank you that he bears witness to us that we are children of God.