The Constant Gardener
John 15v1-27
Key Themes/Terms/Phrases:
Remain, vine, gardener, fruit, love, friendship with God through Christ
Synopsis:
In chapter 15 we move into one of the most beautiful speeches in all of the Gospels. Using the imagery of the Vine, Jesus invites us, compels us really, to make our home in him. Piggybacking on this image of the enormity of the Fathers house, or in the Hebrew the Bet Ab, Jesus increases the level of intimacy between Jesus, the Father and the Spirit, and those who would commit to becoming and living as his disciples in the world.
Abiding leads to fruit bearing which evidences itself in sacrificial love, and Jesus reminds us that he is the ultimate example of what true discipleship must look like to be authentic. While it is true that disciples remain in the love of God, it is also true that they are rejected by the world. Our affiliation with Jesus will always cost us something. Therefore, the question we must ask ourselves is this: what are we willing to sacrifice for our friend?
Study:
What do you think that these images that John uses represent: The vine, gardener, branches and fruit?
John 15v1-8: Abiding in the Vine
· In the pages of the Old Testament, Israel was often referred to as “the vine.” It’s fruitfulness was always intimately connected to it’s spiritual health. Look at Psalm 80v8-18 and Isaiah 5v1-7. How do these passages help us understand what Jesus is saying about himself in John 15?
· What are some of the ways that we can “abide/remain” in the vine in order to ensure that we bear fruit for the Kingdom? What are some of the spiritual practices that we’ve been given, and even seen modeled in Jesus’ life?
· How is fruit bearing evidence of discipleship?
· Pruning is never fun, but it’s necessary for growth. Can you remember a time in your life where you felt as though God was pruning you? What happened as a result of it? How did it change you?
John 15v9-17: The Fruit of Love
· According to Jesus, “fruit bearing” is rooted in love. What type of love does Jesus elevate here as the highest form of love?
· If Jesus is our “friend” and he lays down his life for us, how might we be called, as Jesus’ “friend,” to lay down our lives for him? Can you think of some examples?
· The Greek word that our English versions of the bible translate as “remain/abide” is the word menõ. How is not only our ability to bear fruit, but its ability to remain/abide, directly linked to our effort to “remain/abide” in Jesus?
John 15v18-27: Worldly Opposition
· Jesus says that “the world” will hate us because of our affiliation with him. Contextually speaking, who is the “world,” and what do they represent?
· What do you think Jesus means when he implies that his disciples are not “of the world?”
· How can we be “in” but not “of” the world? What are some examples that we could think of when we think of being “of” the world?
· Jesus implies in verse 22 that if he had not come and spoken to them (the world) then they would not have been guilty of sin, but because he has come and spoken, they have no excuse. What do you think that he means here? Didn’t good observant Jews already know what sin was?
· How have you experienced the Holy Spirit helping you “birth witness” to God in your life?
· How is birthing witness related to remaining/abiding in Jesus?