Jesus as the True Vine.

May 22, 2011

Jesus as the True Vine.
Rev. Tony Costa

Read John 15:1-17.

This passage was spoken to Jesus's disciples. Some background information: In John 13, this was when Jesus had his last supper, though you will not find this account in the gospel of John. After the last supper, Jesus and his disciples left to Gethsemane. In order to get to Gethsemane, they had to pass by vineyards and cross the valley of Kidron(?). So as they were passing by the vineyards, Jesus takes the vine as a metaphor.

In the beginning of the passage, v.1-2 says "I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." In order to produce more fruits, we need to "prune it", meaning clean it, and cut off the branches that don't bear fruit. Essentially, God removes the branches that is not fruitful.

v.3-4
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." Since Jesus was speaking to the disciples, this means that the disciples were clean, clean because of the word Jesus has spoken to them. And in verse 4, Jesus talks about how to stay connected - must be connected to the vine; you must be a part of the vine. If you are not part of the vine, you will be removed (cut off). So the question is "Are you really in Christ?" Some of us who call ourselves "Christians" come to church because we have to or our parents come so we come, but coming to church does not mean you are a Christian. Rev. Tony Costa gave a good analogy: It's like saying if we walk into a garage, then that means we are a car (but we're not). It is also saying if we go to McDonalds, we are a big mac (...). Point is, though you come to church every Sunday, it does not mean you are a Christian if you do not know Jesus.

v.5-9. If we remain, we will bear much fruit. But if we do not, if we are apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Huge contrast there. We are completely vulnerable without Jesus. We can't do anything, can't glorify ____ (I can't read my notes ><) with God if we are not connected. In verse 6, it talks about what happens If we are not in Christ - we will be thrown away. This is the language of judgement, when it talks about being thrown into the fire and being burned. Verse 7, How does the word remain in us? By studying it and engaging in it. It continues on in verse 7 about how if we ask whatever we wish, it will be done for us. What does that mean?? God will give in accordance of His will. He gives what you need, not what we want. Everything is to the glory of God (verse 8). If we do not bear fruit, then you are not connected - 2 Corinthians 13:5 says "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?". Verse 9. hahha, this is funny because Rev. Costa described this like a love triangle. God loves the son, Son loves us, we love the Father back. And Son. :P And this love is eternal love, like that God loves the Son. Why is love the greatest? Because in the end, when we are reunited with Jesus and see God face to face, we no longer need faith (evidence of things you hope for), because Christ is here with us. So it is true of what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:13 "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three: but the greatest of these is love."

v.10-13
In verse 10, it simply states, if you love me (God), you will obey me. Something I heard from a brother this past week is the word commandment. This word commandment seems to be downplayed or is not read or asserted with enough emphasis. The word commandment is powerful. It is a command. A command for example, to clean up your room. You are told to do this. It's so powerful, especially when Jesus says we are commanded to love God and love one another. It's not a wishy-washy thing, not a thing we can take lightly, but a commandment!! We are to do this! We are commanded to do this! Verse 11. Here, Jesus is heading to the cross soon, which is an agonizing and long death, but He is talking about joy! To be complete in Him. Verse 12. A commandment to love another as Jesus loved us. Can we love each other as Christ loved us? Rev. Costa says this is a high calling. What does it mean to love each other as Christ did? This is sacrificial love, and Jesus was the one who demonstrated this on the cross. This leads into verse 13. This is the greatest love, that someone lay down his life for his friends. Jesus laid down his life for each and every one of us!! Jesus is our ultimate example! Hallelujah!

v.14-17
In summary, we are saved by grace. By God's grace. Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. But it is not just faith alone, but works because of your faith (James 2:14-26). Further on, we see that Jesus calls us friends, that we are no longer called servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (v.15 onwards). Rev. Costa says this is where we are different from the Islamic views. In Islam, it is always a master-slave thing. You are always a slave to Allah and your business is to just serve and know nothing more, relating to the fact that "the servant does not know what his master is doing". But Jesus calls us also as his friends and children. Lastly, we did not choose Him, He chose us. He chose us to bear fruit and that we should abide in Him. Now, seriously, how amazing is that?

All in all, we should love and obey; we should love one another.

:D Thanks to Rev. Tony Costa! I am not sure if what I wrote is even coherent but this is what I got from listening to Rev. Tony Costa!! I really like listening to him speak! And he's speaking again this week!!

And during Sunday School, we talked about why we are still on Earth (dealing with the May 21st rapture and end of the world event). However, it is late now (12:19 am) and I have church tomorrow so I will post another day about this! But it is super interesting and I have learned lots! THANK YOU SO MUCH GOD!! :)

You are good. All the time!