Friended by Jesus - (3)

Part 3  (John 15:1-15)

“I am the vine, you are the branches.”  What a comforting analogy.  I am connected.  I am alive.

Even so, it is more than a little frightening to know that you can CHOOSE to depart from the true vine and therefore end up destroying yourself.  Is it hard to stay, or easy to go?  How will you know whether you are really connected?

Read the story here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2015&version=NIV

Listen to the story here: http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/John.15

Now comes one of the most powerful parts of Jesus’ comparison to the vine: 

 The simple test of whether a branch is connected or disconnected is --- FRUIT. 

By fruit every gardener knows that the plant has reproduced itself, as Genesis1:12 says: “…trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.”  The test of “fruit” means: Does the follower of Christ reproduce that which he has become through Christ -- a new believer?

Furthermore, the simple way of remaining connected is this: “OBEY my commands.”  Having a free will gives us the ability to choose continued connection with Him, and the way of choosing to connect is choosing to obey.

Choosing to remain in LOVE simply by acts of obedience would be a no-brainer except for two unfortunate things:

One, our stubborn, fallen will responds : “I hate to obey!”

And two, our mind complicates things by asking: “Obey what?”

No problem.  Jesus simply states:

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

How simple. Even a child could understand it.  And who would want to do anything else?

So how did his followers/servants get promoted to “friend” status?  ---Because He has just let them in on THE inside secret---the key to living, if you will. 

My entire plan for your future life on earth is that you remain in my love by loving each other as I have loved you.  You will end up fruitful and joyful, and my Father will be glorified.

Jesus “friended” me first.  And I am choosing to remain his friend.

How about you?

"Friended" by Jesus - (2)

Part 2  (John 15:1-15)

“I  am the vine, you are the branches” 

 

Jesus compared himself to a vine, his disciples to branches, and his Father to a gardener.  He created a detailed comparison that instantly connected with his audience.  EVERYONE knew how vines grew, how they were pruned, and how they produced fruit.

With this comparison he was telling them HOW TO LIVE.  If you are connected, you will flourish.

Read the story here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2015&version=NIV

Listen to the story here: http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/John.15

But in any use of figurative language there are some things that are alike, and others that are certainly NOT alike.  Most people will intuitively understand which parts are different.  In our example of the lemon (Part 1), if you are about to give your friend a piece of hard candy to taste and you say it is “like lemons,” they will understand you are NOT saying that a candy is a fruit.  However, in more complex comparisons like the one with the vine, it is sometimes necessary to be clear about which of the aspects of the comparison are NOT alike.

So, with the vine and branches comparison, the disciples are NOT mere mindless, soulless plants.  They are not connected to the vine apart from their own CHOICE of will.  This departure from the comparison becomes clear by the use of one verb:

“Remain…”

A branch cannot CHOOSE whether to attach or detach from the vine.  A person can.  Jesus is saying to them:  “You are a person with free will.  You will have to CHOOSE to stay connected to me.”  Then He makes the choice of staying connected eminently desirable by saying, “Remain in my love.”  Who would want to leave love?!

Even so, it is more than a little frightening to know that you can CHOOSE to depart from the true vine and therefore end up destroying yourself.  Is it hard to stay, or easy to go?  How will you know whether you are really connected?

What do you think?