Scriptural text: John 15:4-17
Lesson in Perspective: “I am the true vine.” Jesus describes Himself as the “true vine” and His Father as the “vinedresser.” The point that Jesus is making by referring Himself as the true vine is that Christians must “abide” in Him if they are to bear the fruits of faith. The intimate bond between Christ and the church is strongly emphasized: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
The Path to Faithfulness in a Christian’s Life (John15:4-6). Abide in me, and I in you. The former of these is an exhortation to continue in the exercise of faith and love upon Christ, holding to Him the head, cleaving unto Him with full purpose of heart, and so deriving life, strength, and nourishment from him, the latter is a promise encouraging to the former; for as Christ is formed in the hearts of his people, he continues there as the living principle of all grace. In verse 5, Christ repeats what he said of himself, “the vine,” for the sake of the application of “the branches” to his disciples: which expresses their sameness of nature with Christ; their strict and close union to him, and the communication of life and grace, holiness and faithfulness, of support and strength, and of perseverance in grace and holiness to the end from him; which is the case of all that are once in Christ, and he in them: the same bringeth forth much fruit- This is only accomplished in the exercise of grace, and performance of good works; and continues to do so as long as he lives; not only by virtue of his own free will, power, and strength, but by grace continually received from Christ.
The Love that Makes Joy Complete (John 15:7-11). In verse 11, Jesus speaks of His joy being in us, which in turn makes our joy complete. Jesus means by this statement that he had the joy of living the completely fruitful life, and He wants that same joy to be found in His disciples as they live fruitfully in His name. Thus, the joy of which Jesus speaks emanates from community with Him. It is entirely connected with Christ, and is embedded in His disciples. Our joy is in Christ!
The Supreme Test of Love (John 15:12-15). This is the second time that Christ has commanded his followers to love one another. This is the same theme that is sounded throughout the letters of John. Love for one’s friends, even to the point of death, was a virtue widely commended in the Graeco-Roman world. There is no greater love than this than that of one who lays down his life for his friend. This is the supreme test of love. Love gives and gives everything for all people.