Despite the happiness & relaxation of my last post, of the exuberance of getting a chance to spend some fun, stress-free time with my hubby & friends, I come home to find myself bummed out. This is actually pretty typical and I have been praying against this occurance, but nevertheless, it is here.
I find myself super annoyed by every task the girls need help with, by every little squabble between them, by every toy on the floor, every dish in the sink. These small issues on a non-post-vacay day would just be minor annoyances, but on a post-vacay day, they are the end of the world. I am having to force myself to remain thankful and grateful for my time away, as well as for my sweet, amazing babies who often do have minor issues.
I was so grumpy yesterday (and tired!) that I didn't even open up the Bible, when really that is the one thing I should have done other than prayer (which I also did not do). So here today, I turn to day 1&2 of the abiding fruit study on a new set of verses, John 15:1-11:
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already [b]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit [c]of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so [d]prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Who is writing? Why? Initial thoughts/questions?
John, the apostle, is writing his gospel, his account of Jesus' life. He is writing as a testimony to what Jesus did and what Jesus said. No doubt he included this passage as it was a strong teaching that Jesus gave. The context of this passage (if taken chronologically) is just after Jesus has washed the disciples feet, and has promised the Holy Spirit. He is speaking in the upper room to his disciples only. He is not speaking to non-believers. He is encouraging them because he knows that he soon will be absent.
Initially, I am struck by the fact that Jesus is talking to his disciples, to the ones that have followed Him the most. Is it then the natural sin nature, when the physical Jesus is no longer with you (as I have of course always experienced), to try to find other things to abide in and still produce fruit?? This warning and call to remain in Him is to those who were closest to Jesus while He was on earth, yet even they needed the reminder that it is when we "make our home in him" as the Message says, that we produce fruit.
This passage teaches me many things about God. It teaches me that the Father is extremely deep; he is not a simple character. He is very invested in the lives of His children as a gardener is in his garden. He takes action on non-producing parts and removes them so that they are not hindrances in His kingdom. He wants us to be the most fruitful that we can be. He remains in us!! He is the source of power and life. He is glorified by fruit in our lives. He LOVES; he takes JOY in us!!
About the author John: Just that this teaching must have been of such significance in his own life to include it. As for Jesus as the speaker, it shows his great love, care and compassion for those who follow Him.
About me: I will be pruned and cut so that I can bear fruit. I believe this means that life will not always appear "easy" for me, and that there is discipline and pruning for a variety of reasons in my life. What is important is to remember to remain in Him, even during these times of pruning, and then I will see more abundant fruit in my life. I can do NOTHING on my own. I am already clean because of Christ's sacrifice, stay in Him who healed me. I show glory to God by bearing fruit. I will have joy (and share in Christ's joy) when I remain in Him.
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