John 15

Chapter: http://www.esvbible.org/John+15/

Sorry, I'm a day late on posting these.

Jesus says that He is the true vine, and we as His followers are the branches. God is the gardener and cuts away branches that don't produce fruit and throws them away; however, He prunes the fruit producing branches, so that they may produce even more fruit. If we are reaching people for Jesus, God will help us, and give us what we need to reach even more people. The branches can't produce fruit unless they are connected to the vine to gain their life. What goes slightly unmentioned is the face that the vine needs branches to produce the fruit. God developed the world this way, even though He didn't have to. He designed the world so that we as His followers are a necessary step to reach others in His name. Again, Jesus talks about how if we ask for something in His name, He will grant it to us. Jesus wants us to love because if we love, then we can live in His perfect love. Living in His love will bring us complete joy. It is the only thing that will bring us complete joy. There are so many people out there that are trying to find joy in other things: alcohol, sex, achievements, education, etc. But those things only bring temporary joy. The only way to have full, everlasting joy, is by living in Jesus' love. Jesus calls His followers His friends instead of His servants. He says that servants do not know the will of their masters, but we know the will of Jesus. Finally, He leaves the disciples with a promise: as bad as the world treats Jesus at any given time is how bad they will treat those truly committed to Him at that time. This is a way to check ourselves to see if we are truly committed to Him. Additionally, Jesus shows us again that we should care more for Him than the thoughts of others in this world because this world will fade away, but we have the chance to live forever with Jesus.