Chapter 15 Conforming
Joy which is Celestial v1-11
Fruit which is Perpetual v12-16a
Prayer which is Effectual v16b-27
These real and wonderful benefits are the
result of communion with, and conformity to Christ unfolded in these verses,
details of which will emerge in the picture of the Vine.
They were, possibly passing through a
vineyard, for Gethsemane was so called as it was “the place of olive presses”,
and Jesus makes full use of the object lesson, as they pass through. He used everyday things to illustrate
spiritual truth. The figure of the vine
was an apt way to introduce the truth of conformity, as the branches derived
sustenance from the vine to produce fruit, just as disciples were to assimilate
from Him that which produced spiritual fruit.
Each tree or plant only reproduces its own kind, and it is the same spiritually. This brings them into the realm of
responsibility, since, if the end product is to be achieved, then certain
conditions must apply. Consider the
spiritual teaching of the vine.
“I am the true vine, my Father is the
husbandman.”
Why does anyone plant a vine? Answer-to produce grapes that produce
wine. Psalm 104v13 “Wine that maketh
glad the heart of man”; Judges 9v13 “New wine which cheers the heart of God and
man”. So wine symbolises that which
brings joy and gladness to man. This is
the main teaching of the vine, Jesus is explaining to them what will bring joy
and gladness. Central to it is v11, which
sums up the teaching,”… these things I have spoken unto you that my
joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jesus is saying to His disciples that what the
vine is to man naturally, He is to them spiritually. The secret of joy is to have His joy dwelling
in them and flowing through them. The Apostle
John continues this theme in almost a copycat statement in 1st John 1v4,
“These things I write unto you, that your joy may be full.” The charge is sometimes made against Christians
that they are kill-joys. This need not
be the case if we follow the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Here we have the secret of true joy, and He
makes it clear that if we are to experience real joy in our lives we must find
His joy. It is notable that He is
speaking of joy just a few hours before the trauma of Calvary. This joy is independent of external
circumstances, which is the opposite of the worldview of joy. The way to joy in spiritual life is to know
and keep the Father’s commandments-compare 14v31 with 15v10. The secret is in knowing and keeping the
Father's commandments. The Palmist says,
“…in my presence is fullness of joy-16v11, but this is preceded by “…thou wilt
show me the path of life.” Fulness of
joy comes from following the path of life which is the way of righteousness. It does not mean the absence of troubles, it
does mean the continued presence of God.
We might well ask, why did God
create human beings? Why are we here on this earth? The ultimate reason is to
bring forth fruit to the glory of God, a matter central to the teaching of
Christianity.
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