Sunday 05 May 2024

Psalm 98

Background
Few verses bring us so deeply into the final life of Jesus as John 15. In today’s passage we are transported into an intimate conversation between Jesus and his disciples. It took place in an ‘upper room’, which was likely a roof terrace, in a local home on Jesus’ final evening before his crucifixion. It was an eye-to-eye talk with his disciples, whom he loved and had spent several years with and, most importantly, was about to leave. Jesus spoke of his love for his disciples mirroring that of the love he received from God, his father, indicating the depth of his relationship with them. He commanded them to love in the same way he loved others.

Loving others emphasises that Jesus saw love as the highest expression of following him and undoubtedly the hardest. “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (v. 14) speaks of obedience as complementary to love. They are both vital components of following Jesus faithfully. The verse suggests a mutuality of heart. The disciples do not follow Jesus out of duty, but because they have mutuality of heart with him and share the same outlook and goals. To foster this, Jesus shared his deepest thoughts with the disciples and the connection between them was deep rooted.

John 15:15 gives deep insight into Jesus’ relationship with the disciples. He says: “I do not call you servants any longer… but I have called you friends.” As servants, the disciples would have carried out Jesus’ instructions, but as friends they would also have had inside knowledge about his intentions. This suggests an openness and unguardedness in Jesus’ communication with them. They were his closest confidantes – 12 people who would follow him, fail in their promises, but ultimately be his hands and feet in planting the Church and spreading the gospel.

Earlier in John 15, Jesus taught his disciples that he is ‘the true vine’ and that his disciples are the branches. Verses 16 and 17 speak of the disciples bearing fruit. Jesus used this image to illustrate the 12 needed to remain true to him after his death to flourish. The ‘fruit’ referred to represents the righteous works and actions that Jesus hopes the disciples will produce. If any branches are severed from the vine, they will not produce fruit. The imagery is of God as a gardener, pruning the vine to retain those branches that are thriving.

The thread woven through today’s verse is one of Jesus’ love for his friends and his desire to help them fulfil their calling. In stressing the need to remain in him, Jesus once again highlights the need to demonstrate love to one another – it’s an obligation given directly by God.

To Ponder:

• John 15 shows the depth of friendship between Jesus and his disciples. How can we become friends with Jesus?
• How has Jesus proven his friendship to you in your life?
• How can we apply the wisdom of the metaphor of the vine and the branches to our own spiritual life? What needs to remain in us if we are to remain in Jesus?

Prayer
Lord thank you for all the ways you call us as friends even when we turn away. Thank you that your friendship is unlimited and unconditional. Forgive us when we fail to remain in you and think we can bear fruit through our own endeavours. Thank you that no branch is severed eternally, and that by your Spirit we can always find a way back to the vine. Amen.

Bible notes author: Cara Macdonald
Cara lives with her husband and five children in Glasgow, where she works for the Evangelical Alliance as the assistant to the Scottish Director. She attends Newton Mearns Baptist Church and is also involved with the work of Reigate Methodist Church in Surrey, where she came to faith.