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John

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Peace From Jesus

John 14:27

Parting words have a special significance.  Before Jesus left the upper room, anticipating His arrest and crucifixion, He left a promise of peace.  Although the next few days would be unbelievably turbulent, He wanted their hearts to be at rest and full of contented hope.  The world, flesh and devil would tempt them to be afraid but He wanted them to know that every circumstance was in God’s control.

The Pain Of Leaving

John 14:28-31

Instinctively, we hate leaving what we know and love; we intensely dislike bereavement and death is a real enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26).  However, if we know that leaving one job will enable us to do a job which suits our gifting better, then we are glad.  No parent likes children to leave home, but knows that unless they go, it will be impossible for them to mature and fulfil their vocation.  Jesus was not leaving the disciples because He did not care for them; He loved them deeply: but like a parent knew that they had to grow up spiritually.  Anyway, He was going to prepare a place for the

The Vine, The Gardener And The Branches

John 15:1-4

Jesus was speaking to His disciples, trainee apostles who would soon be the leaders of the church, using the analogy of the grape vine.  The common vine was an essential part of Israel’s economy, but they would have remembered that Hosea described Israel as a useless vine (Hosea 10:1-2) – like branches disconnected from the vine.  Now Jesus likened Himself to a new vine-stem which was rooted in the ground.  It is not particularly attractive – the branches (all those who believe in Jesus) often look better and they bear the grapes.  But if the branches are not connected to the vine they have

Fruit, Much Fruit Or No Fruit

John 15:5-8

Jesus likened Himself to the vine-stem, and the disciples to being branches.  A vineyard that produces no grapes is worthless, and branches which do not fruit well are useless to the farmer.  Without a strong connection between the branches and the vine, the harvest will fail.  The consequence is that branches which have demonstrated that they are not fit for purpose will be removed and burned.  This vivid picture is also used by Jesus to describe the eternal destiny of false prophets who do Jesus-things but do not know Jesus (Matthew 7:15-23); and all who willingly do evil (Matthew 13:37-4

Love, Obedience And Joy

John 15:9-11

When people are close to us, we may take them for granted.  We may abuse the relationship in some way without realising how our own selfish demands destroy mutual love and respect.  Jesus told His disciples that it was love which drove His relationship with the Father, and with them.  That love was not a sentimental emotion often portrayed in the media, but a deep heart passion to please the other person. That was why Jesus came to earth - to do the Father’s will (John 14:31).  In the same way, He expected His disciples to express their love for Him by obeying Him.
 

Friendship, Love And Sacrifice

John 15:12-15

True love is not primarily a matter of our emotions, but of our will.  It is our thought-out decision to sacrifice ourselves in the interests of another person (1 John 4:10).  Yet Jesus does not leave us to love those we like and ignore the others.  He commands us to love all other believers, irrespective of what we may think we will gain from the relationships.  Our love for others in Jesus’ church is to be without reserve or condition, because He said so.

Chosen For Fruitfulness Through Love

John 15:16-17

Jesus had chosen the disciples and not the other way around.  They were under His Royal Appointment.  They had not arrived in the Upper Room to share the Last Supper because they thought it was a good idea, but because they had responded obediently to Christ’s call on their lives.  Having already dismissed the traitor, Judas Iscariot, to do his evil work (John 13:26-30), the Lord then focussed on those who would be the apostolic leaders of the Church. ‘… go and bear fruit – fruit that will last’.

Hated With Christ

John 15:18-19

The disciples had enjoyed sharing the public’s approval of Jesus, and were about to see the worst of people’s hatred. It was great training for the apostles (the contrast between their popularity in Acts 2:47 and their persecution in Acts 8:1 showed them what was to come).  Jesus was preparing them for the hatred they would have to endure.  If Jesus had only offered healing and help to poor people, and dignity to rich people – most people would have been happy.  But He demanded self-sacrifice and wholehearted obedience, contradicting the worldly values they loved.
 

Hating Without Knowing

John 15:20-21

The sufferings of Jesus are not just a nice symbol of love and sacrifice.  They are also a part of the life of everyone who follows Jesus, in some way or another.  If Jesus suffered hatred from the world, why should we be exempt?  Those who loved the teaching of Jesus, would also love the teaching of the apostles.  But those whose selfish natures are insulted by the command to repent and believe the gospel of Christ (Mark 1:15), will resent those who preach to them.

Jesus Brings Guilt To The Surface

John 15:22-25

Although ignorance of the law cannot make anyone innocent, knowledge of the law removes any excuse - as sin is brought to the surface and guilt is exposed.  The miracles and teaching of Jesus were so unique that everybody should have recognised that God was amongst them.  But the reaction of most people was to resist His authority over them, thus confirming their rejection of Him as God’s Messiah.  In a few hours after saying these words, Jesus would be the object of vicious hatred as He was unfairly tried, cruelly beaten, and crucified to death.

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