The Vine and the Branches

HOOK

Condolence to Kuya Nanding and his family for the passing of Ate Rosie Castillo

Happy Happy Birthday to my lovely wife

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we completed chapter 14 looking into the events and conversations when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit [parakletos-paraclete] to his disciples— from it we learned 3 things:

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY TEACHER AND MY REMINDER

I HAVE THE PEACE OF THE LORD

MY HEART WILL NOT BE TROUBLED AND I WILL NEVER BE AFRAID

Today we will begin with chapter 15— and to start with, we can see another parable or metaphor [talinghaga] from the Lord— open your Bible to JOHN 15:1-7

CHARACTER, COMMAND, PROMISES, CONVICTIONS, EXAMPLES, CHALLENGES AND ENCOURAGEMENT

Read JOHN 15:1-7

BOOK

John 15:1–7 NIV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

The imagery alludes to the OT depictions of Israel as Yahweh’s vineyard— reminds me our our recent trip to Napa Valley [ISAIAH 5:1-7]

This passage features the last of the seven “I am” statements John uses to define Jesus identity

Jesus taught this parable to his disciples because he knew the work that is ahead of them

Remember that this conversation is still part of the Lord’s farewell teaching before he died

LOOK

I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE GARDENER

Jesus is the center of the Christian faith

YOU ARE ALREADY CLEAN BECAUSE OF THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU

It could be that Jesus is referring to the spiritual cleansing at salvation, however, being saved is one thing— but bearing or producing fruits is another

The pruning [pagtabas] may refer to the hardship that (eventually) produces faithfulness and closer relationship with God

Could also refer to dead branches which would entail removing what is undesirable

NO BRANCH CAN BEAR FRUIT BY ITSELF, IT MUST REMAIN IN THE VINE

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me

Branches refers to the Lord’s disciples who depend on the true vine for all things including life

APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING

Jesus means that people cannot access God without him

All life-giving things require access to the source of life— Jesus [JOHN 14:6]

IF YOU DO NOT REMAIN IN ME, YOU ARE LIKE A BRANCH THAT IS THROWN AWAY AND WITHERS

Jesus is referring to those who choose not to accept Him as Savior— people like Judas

Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned

IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND MY WORDS IN YOU, ASK WHATEVER YOU WISH, AND IT WILL BE DONE FOR YOU

I already clarified this to all of you not long ago— I said that Jesus is not a “genie”— JOHN 14:13

Remain in me and “my words remain in you”— how can his words remain in us?— through the Holy Spirit— our teacher and our reminder

TOOK

I RECEIVED SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST, AND SANCTIFICATION THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

I CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT JESUS

I WILL REMAIN IN HIM AND HIS WORDS