Comments on John Chapter 15

Glenn on Discipleship

John 15: 8 - 15

8. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. ----fruit in the N.T. is found twice- parable of the sower and Gal. 5, fruit the Holy Spirit grows

9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. ----what Christian doesn't want to abide-live-remain in Jesus' love... but how:

10. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love. ----this part of Jesus' message has been largely ignored if not preached against in the American and other Western churches. We are so concerned about the error of works righteousness and salvation by our own efforts that we have discarded any preaching or teaching on biblical, loving obedience. The word obey is rarely heard. The result is a serious lack of the very discipleship Jesus is calling us to in this passage. Note that Jesus Himself makes an undeniable connection between the practice of obedience and receiving, actually experiencing God's love. It's not an earned love but rather a relational thing: because I love Him I choose to do what He commands me in His Word and so grow in His love. But there is another, unexpected twist:

11. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ----Wow- does this answer a lot of questions about lack of joy in many of us...

12. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ----How did Jesus demonstrate His love for us- the cross. Taking pain, blame, our shame, forgiving us over and over, being ready to restore broken fellowship with us at any moment- all we need to do is repent where needed and call on Him in faith for mercy and His forgiveness. THIS is grace!

13. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ----Agape love is a pain. It is also the greatest joy to share with others. It is BOTH and we have got to accept this reality. Jesus knew it and we must face it too.

14. You are my friends if you do what I command you. ----I often hear the next verse quoted without this verse quoted before it... According to Jesus real friendship with Him is directly linked with loving obedience to His commands- which boil down to loving God supremely and truly loving our -sinful and perhaps painful- neighbor as ourself. Forgiveness is central in God's love.

15. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ----Jesus is always talking straight about the cost of God's call- are we? Even here He speaks of what the master is doing- not only saying.

Posted 09/21/04