part 5 of “The Last Night With Jesus”
I wanted to begin this post by looking at a small part of John 14:31:
“Come, let’s be going.” - John 14:31c NLT
This little phrase at the end of John 14 has caused a lot of conversions and debate. There are some scholars who believe that this phrase means that John 13-14 took place around the table in the Upper Room and then the disciples and Jesus began the walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. This would mean that the conversation and prayer found John 15–17 took place on that on that walk [1].
Another possibility that scholars believe could have happened here is that the disciples got up and lingered so Jesus continued on with the conversation there [2].
The last possibility that I want to mention is that some believe that Jesus’ teachings end at John 14:31 and that John 15-16 is John expanding on what Jesus taught in John 13-14 [3].
I say all that to be clear on the different possibilities that have been said to have happened on this night. For this series, we are going to be looking at the way the text presents the night unfolding. The Bible text does not say that they lingered or stayed so since Jesus says, “come let’s be going” we are going to go on the walk with them. We are going to be looking John 15-16 as a conversation they had on the walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.
In this next part of the conversation, we see Jesus speak of two sources for us to remain. We also see the seventh “I Am” statement [4]. Let’s dive in.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:1-5 NLT
This is a passage about connection. Jesus says that He is the vine and we (the disciples and you and me) are the branches that are connected to vine. This is Jesus restating His connection to the Father to show the same connection that we have with Jesus. Jesus says that He cannot do anything without the Father [5]. Jesus is telling us that we need to REMAIN IN HIM so we can do the greater works that He says we are going to do (John 14:12).
Jesus uses this wonderful illustration of the vine and branches so His disciples and we would understand. When you think of this illustration that Jesus is using it is real easy for us to picture what He means. Even if we have no gardening experience, we can get the brief idea of what Jesus is saying. The illustration that Jesus uses can be translated into any kind of plant. For example, let’s use a tree. If a branch is not connected to the tree, it dies. It doesn’t bear leaves. The same is true for the branches of a grapevine or a tomato plant. If a branch is not connected to the source of the vine, the branch then does not produce the fruit.
Jesus also talks about how the branches that don’t bear fruit even though they are connected to the vine are taken care of. When we read verse 2 as it is written it seems like they just get hacked off. This is, of course, one way to look at it for our own life. If we have branches in our life that aren’t bearing any fruit maybe it is time to cut those loose. These branches can be anything aren’t helping out life overall. A relationship. A habit. And so on. We should hack those branches off so we can live the life that Jesus wants for us (John 10:10).
But after doing some research, I found another way to look at it. When I saw this way, I see how God cares for us. If there is a branch that isn’t bearing fruit, the Father lifts it up off of the ground to receive more sunlight so it can have the opportunity to bear to fruit [2]. This show us that the Father wants to encourage fruit production. This is for the areas in our lives that have the ability to bear fruit, it is just they need a little bit of attention.
One last thing that Jesus mentions about the branches is the need for pruning. When I branch produces fruit the gardener will keep it clean and neat for maximum fruit production. Jesus once again is showing us how we can prune the areas of our lives that are producing fruit so we will be even more fruitful. As Jesus says, that can be accomplished by cutting off branches that don’t bear fruit and pruning those that do. This way we can bear “much fruit” (John 15:5). When we produce much fruit, Jesus says that it “brings great joy to the Father” (John 15:8).
Jesus then moves to the second source that we are to remain in:
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” - John 15:9-10 NLT
Jesus once again reminds us (the disciples and us) how He has loved us as the Father love Him [Jesus] (John 13:1). So Jesus tell us to REMAIN IN HIS LOVE. We can do this by obey His commandments. Once again, Jesus is calling back to the commandments He had just given them. The commandment of serving others (John 13:1-17) which He displayed to them by washing their feet. Jesus was showing that serving other is a form of love. The commandment to put their faith and trust in God and Himself (John 14:1-2). The commandment to show love to each other (John 13:34) which Jesus also showed them when He washed their feet. We see Jesus say this in a different when He says that the greatest commandments are to “Love God and Love others” (Matthew 22:37-40).
But Jesus rephrased it here again and says:
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:12-13 NLT
Jesus adds something here when He talks about laying one’s life down for a friend. Jesus is foreshadowing what would happen to Him in just a few short hours. Jesus would lay His life down for His friends. The 11 friends right there with Him on the walk. But there is something else here as well. Jesus called them friends.
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” - John 15:14-15 NLT
This is amazing. The relationship between Jesus and His disciples would not have been looked at as a friendship. But Jesus calls them friends because He is confiding in them in these last hours.
Jesus is the greatest friend to us all. He showed His great friendship for all of us by dying on the cross for us [2]. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had a friend die for me other than Jesus. Jesus is the greatest friend we can ever have. Jesus loved us with the greatest love anyone ever could show. So Jesus encourages us to love each other (John 15:17). We can still lay our life down for others it just looks a little different in our life today. Laying our life down can be shown through a servants heart and giving our time and attention to others.
One final thing Jesus says here is another reminder to us:
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” - John 15:16 NLT
We are chosen. Jesus has chosen us just as we are. Just as He chose His disciples, He has chosen us as well. But He didn’t chose us just so we can feel chosen [6]. Don’t get me wrong it’s an awesome feeling to know that we are chosen by Jesus. But as verse 16 says, Jesus has chosen us to produce fruit.
So let’s review what we have seen in this portion of John 15. We have seen two sources to remain in:
1. REMAIN IN JESUS (The Vine)
2. REMAIN IN JESUS’ LOVE
We have seen how Jesus is the greatest friend of all. We have seen how much Jesus loves us and how we should love each other.
Finally, we have once again seen that Jesus has chosen us. Just as we are.
So the overall encouragement I believe Jesus is showing us here is to REMAIN IN HIM. We can’t do anything without Jesus much like He couldn’t do anything without God (The Father). We do our best when we remain close to the True Vine and remaining in the True Vine will help us bear much fruit.
[1] At this point, Jesus and His disciples left the table and slowly made their way toward the Garden of Gethsemane. It is clear they did not immediately leave (John 18:1), but here began to.
i. “Anyone who has tried to get a group of a dozen or so to leave a particular place at a particular time will appreciate that it usually takes more than one brief exhortation to accomplish this.” (Morris)
ii. “Probably the rest of the discourse, and the prayer, chapter 17, were delivered when now all were standing ready to depart.” (Alford)
iii. “Whether chapters 15-17 were spoken en route to Gethsemane or whether he and the disciples lingered while he finished the discussion is not plain.” (Tenney)
Enduring Word - https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-14/amp/
[2] The Gospel of John: Believe and Live by Elmer Towns
[3] The NIV Application Commentary: John by Gary M. Burge
[4] The 7 “I AM” statements are found in the Gospel of John. The statements are things that Jesus said in reference to Himself.
1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
3. I am the gate (John 10:7)
4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11)
5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
7. I am the true vine (John 15:1,5)
[5] John 14:10-11
[6] Jesus chooses disciples not simply so they would have the thrill of knowing they are chosen, but so that they would bear fruit that remains, to the glory of God the Father. - Enduring Word - https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-15/amp/
The Remaining Source
part 5 of “The Last Night With Jesus”
I wanted to begin this post by looking at a small part of John 14:31:
“Come, let’s be going.” - John 14:31c NLT
This little phrase at the end of John 14 has caused a lot of conversions and debate. There are some scholars who believe that this phrase means that John 13-14 took place around the table in the Upper Room and then the disciples and Jesus began the walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. This would mean that the conversation and prayer found John 15–17 took place on that on that walk [1].
Another possibility that scholars believe could have happened here is that the disciples got up and lingered so Jesus continued on with the conversation there [2].
The last possibility that I want to mention is that some believe that Jesus’ teachings end at John 14:31 and that John 15-16 is John expanding on what Jesus taught in John 13-14 [3].
I say all that to be clear on the different possibilities that have been said to have happened on this night. For this series, we are going to be looking at the way the text presents the night unfolding. The Bible text does not say that they lingered or stayed so since Jesus says, “come let’s be going” we are going to go on the walk with them. We are going to be looking John 15-16 as a conversation they had on the walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.
In this next part of the conversation, we see Jesus speak of two sources for us to remain. We also see the seventh “I Am” statement [4]. Let’s dive in.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:1-5 NLT
This is a passage about connection. Jesus says that He is the vine and we (the disciples and you and me) are the branches that are connected to vine. This is Jesus restating His connection to the Father to show the same connection that we have with Jesus. Jesus says that He cannot do anything without the Father [5]. Jesus is telling us that we need to REMAIN IN HIM so we can do the greater works that He says we are going to do (John 14:12).
Jesus uses this wonderful illustration of the vine and branches so His disciples and we would understand. When you think of this illustration that Jesus is using it is real easy for us to picture what He means. Even if we have no gardening experience, we can get the brief idea of what Jesus is saying. The illustration that Jesus uses can be translated into any kind of plant. For example, let’s use a tree. If a branch is not connected to the tree, it dies. It doesn’t bear leaves. The same is true for the branches of a grapevine or a tomato plant. If a branch is not connected to the source of the vine, the branch then does not produce the fruit.
Jesus also talks about how the branches that don’t bear fruit even though they are connected to the vine are taken care of. When we read verse 2 as it is written it seems like they just get hacked off. This is, of course, one way to look at it for our own life. If we have branches in our life that aren’t bearing any fruit maybe it is time to cut those loose. These branches can be anything aren’t helping out life overall. A relationship. A habit. And so on. We should hack those branches off so we can live the life that Jesus wants for us (John 10:10).
But after doing some research, I found another way to look at it. When I saw this way, I see how God cares for us. If there is a branch that isn’t bearing fruit, the Father lifts it up off of the ground to receive more sunlight so it can have the opportunity to bear to fruit [2]. This show us that the Father wants to encourage fruit production. This is for the areas in our lives that have the ability to bear fruit, it is just they need a little bit of attention.
One last thing that Jesus mentions about the branches is the need for pruning. When I branch produces fruit the gardener will keep it clean and neat for maximum fruit production. Jesus once again is showing us how we can prune the areas of our lives that are producing fruit so we will be even more fruitful. As Jesus says, that can be accomplished by cutting off branches that don’t bear fruit and pruning those that do. This way we can bear “much fruit” (John 15:5). When we produce much fruit, Jesus says that it “brings great joy to the Father” (John 15:8).
Jesus then moves to the second source that we are to remain in:
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” - John 15:9-10 NLT
Jesus once again reminds us (the disciples and us) how He has loved us as the Father love Him [Jesus] (John 13:1). So Jesus tell us to REMAIN IN HIS LOVE. We can do this by obey His commandments. Once again, Jesus is calling back to the commandments He had just given them. The commandment of serving others (John 13:1-17) which He displayed to them by washing their feet. Jesus was showing that serving other is a form of love. The commandment to put their faith and trust in God and Himself (John 14:1-2). The commandment to show love to each other (John 13:34) which Jesus also showed them when He washed their feet. We see Jesus say this in a different when He says that the greatest commandments are to “Love God and Love others” (Matthew 22:37-40).
But Jesus rephrased it here again and says:
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:12-13 NLT
Jesus adds something here when He talks about laying one’s life down for a friend. Jesus is foreshadowing what would happen to Him in just a few short hours. Jesus would lay His life down for His friends. The 11 friends right there with Him on the walk. But there is something else here as well. Jesus called them friends.
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” - John 15:14-15 NLT
This is amazing. The relationship between Jesus and His disciples would not have been looked at as a friendship. But Jesus calls them friends because He is confiding in them in these last hours.
Jesus is the greatest friend to us all. He showed His great friendship for all of us by dying on the cross for us [2]. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had a friend die for me other than Jesus. Jesus is the greatest friend we can ever have. Jesus loved us with the greatest love anyone ever could show. So Jesus encourages us to love each other (John 15:17). We can still lay our life down for others it just looks a little different in our life today. Laying our life down can be shown through a servants heart and giving our time and attention to others.
One final thing Jesus says here is another reminder to us:
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” - John 15:16 NLT
We are chosen. Jesus has chosen us just as we are. Just as He chose His disciples, He has chosen us as well. But He didn’t chose us just so we can feel chosen [6]. Don’t get me wrong it’s an awesome feeling to know that we are chosen by Jesus. But as verse 16 says, Jesus has chosen us to produce fruit.
So let’s review what we have seen in this portion of John 15. We have seen two sources to remain in:
1. REMAIN IN JESUS (The Vine)
2. REMAIN IN JESUS’ LOVE
We have seen how Jesus is the greatest friend of all. We have seen how much Jesus loves us and how we should love each other.
Finally, we have once again seen that Jesus has chosen us. Just as we are.
So the overall encouragement I believe Jesus is showing us here is to REMAIN IN HIM. We can’t do anything without Jesus much like He couldn’t do anything without God (The Father). We do our best when we remain close to the True Vine and remaining in the True Vine will help us bear much fruit.
-----------------
[1] At this point, Jesus and His disciples left the table and slowly made their way toward the Garden of Gethsemane. It is clear they did not immediately leave (John 18:1), but here began to.
i. “Anyone who has tried to get a group of a dozen or so to leave a particular place at a particular time will appreciate that it usually takes more than one brief exhortation to accomplish this.” (Morris)
ii. “Probably the rest of the discourse, and the prayer, chapter 17, were delivered when now all were standing ready to depart.” (Alford)
iii. “Whether chapters 15-17 were spoken en route to Gethsemane or whether he and the disciples lingered while he finished the discussion is not plain.” (Tenney)
Enduring Word - https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-14/amp/
[2] The Gospel of John: Believe and Live by Elmer Towns
[3] The NIV Application Commentary: John by Gary M. Burge
[4] The 7 “I AM” statements are found in the Gospel of John. The statements are things that Jesus said in reference to Himself.
1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
3. I am the gate (John 10:7)
4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11)
5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
7. I am the true vine (John 15:1,5)
[5] John 14:10-11
[6] Jesus chooses disciples not simply so they would have the thrill of knowing they are chosen, but so that they would bear fruit that remains, to the glory of God the Father. - Enduring Word - https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-15/amp/
Comments