Jesus starts out by talking about the branches and describes them as "in Him". This tells me that they belong to Him. If they belong to Him then NO one can snatch them out of His hand, which is what He said just a few chapters earlier. The word used here translated taken, removed or cut can be translated lifted as well. Lifted is fitting when you consider the picture of the vine and it's branches. A grape vine branch would lie on the floor and get covered in mud unable to receive the light it needs to grow. For this reason it is lifted, cleansed and placed on a rock so it will no longer lie on the ground. This is a beautiful picture of the Vine Dresser's work in the believer's life. We are lifted, made clean and put in a place where we can grow and bear fruit.
The whole passage is about bearing fruit and how this occurs. We cannot produce fruit ourselves, it only happens by abiding or remaining connected to the vine. The Holy Spirit produces fruit as the Father, who is Vine Dresser cultivates the Vine. The Vine is Christ Himself. A beautiful illustration of the Trinity at work in the life of a believer. Jesus is telling His disciples to stay connected. Only through the Spirit of God will we grow and produce good works. The disciples were about to experience physical separation from Jesus but now they would know 1.) that through His Spirit they will never be alone and 2.) the plan that God the Father has to grow them and bear fruit for His glory. The word cloud above says it all. It is made up of the all the words in John 15:1-17. The more a word is used the bigger it appears in the word cloud. So you can plainly see that Fruit is the largest which is fitting because it's the point of the passage. Abide is next which leads to bear and love which is how it all happens. then we have the Vine and Vine Dresser- Father and Branch. Like a natural cloud this beautiful word cloud reminds us we can't produce it but we can enjoy it along with others. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
2 Comments
Bobby
7/6/2018 10:31:39 am
Always a reminder to me that we cannot function well apart from God. For me the 'wheels start to fall off' of life. Staying 'plugged in' is the only way that I can deal with the trials and blessings of life in a Christ-Like way.
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Miguel
7/7/2018 07:32:53 am
Amen.
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