Category: Daily Devotionals

John 15.21-25

‘Four Christians in China are facing prison sentences of between 18 months and five years for involvement in the distribution of audio Bibles. A fifth Christian involved in a separate business is currently on trial and could face a similar sentence. It’s part of a wider government campaign to ‘eradicate pornography and illegal publications’. (For a fuller story of government opposition to the Christian faith in China – https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/christians-china-audiobibles/ )

It is important to understand what Jesus meant by the “world.” ^v19 When he speaks of the world hating himself and his disciples. Some might consider the world to be anything non-religious but it was clear that religious people made up a significant portion of those who hated and persecuted him.  Jesus’ meaning included the whole system that is in rebellion against God and that may include aspects of rebellion. It also includes individual and societal rebellion against the name of Jesus. ‘But all these things they will do on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.’ ^v21 The name of Jesus represents his identity as the Son of God and the existence or authority of God the Father. The extract above from China is an example of political and philosophical hatred of Jesus and his followers. In that case they invoked a law outlawing pornography including the bible as equivalent material. Societal opposition does not have to be so formally organised. Materialism in terms of valuing the acquisition of goods and wealth as the goal of life forms a dominant opposition in the West. As does materialism in terms of excluding the possibility of anything existing outside of what can be measured in the physical world also sets itself up in rebellion against Jesus. This is despite advocates of materialism not facing up to the contradictions such a position causes within how they live their own lives.

Opposition to Jesus is heightened by what he said and did because it reveals their rebellion towards God. God views their rebellion as sin and the rebel wishes to assert it as good. In Western society having many sexual partners is commonly endorsed as good. Drunkenness is approved of as having a good time. Using foul language is often approved of, and gossip is to be relished. Those with wealth and power often place their right to increase their wealth above the needs of others who are greatly disadvantaged. Attitudes towards the distribution of Covid 19 vaccines have seen rich countries placing the lives of their citizens and the profit of pharmaceutical companies above the needs of the world’s poorest as good and fair policy. Similarly, if a Christian teaches what Jesus taught they will also open themselves up to opposition and even personal hatred. The purpose of Jesus’ teaching the truth is not vindictive but to open a way for people to repent and turn to him for forgiveness and be included in the Kingdom of God. There will be those who will respond in that way but there will be others who hate Jesus without cause. ^v25

When Jesus performed miracles of mercy that enraged opposition. ^v24 Some accused him of doing so by the power of the devil. Others accused him of breaking the law. When God’s people are engaging in his works of mercy whether through miraculous means or simple kindness there will be those who make accusations that it is done for evil motives. There is considerable opposition to church schools in our society, there are those who accuse acts of mercy by churches as having purely impure motives. This is done because of a rejection of the name of Jesus and his Father.

Jesus’ teaching, actions and life sharply divides people. ^{2 Corinthians 2.16} However, we are not left without help.

Are we prepared to be known as Jesus’ disciple?

When Trials Come – Keith & Kristyn Getty

John 15.18-23

‘It was a day like any other for Peninah in Kenya. She went to the market, leaving her phone behind, not expecting any calls. But then she returned home. And everything changed. Peninah’s phone was full of missed calls. Her husband, Paul, a lorry driver’s assistant, was on his way home from the Somali border when the lorry was stopped by al-Shabaab militants. They lined up everyone from the lorry and demanded that each person recite the Shahada, an Islamic creed. Paul didn’t know it and, as Peninah relates, he ‘told them he could not deny Jesus’. “If you want to kill me, I’ll remain in Jesus,” Paul told the attackers. “And if you let me go, I’ll still remain in Jesus.” He was shot dead.’ (Full story https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/violence-world-watch-list/ )

Jesus had just spoken about how he and the Father loved his disciples with a love greater than all others when out he comes with these words, like a punch to the jaw. ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.’ ^v18 One can imagine some of the disciples taking a deep breath and thinking, “Wow! I am not sure that I signed up to be hated. I thought we had a message of love.” Jesus here sets a clear example of how the Christian church should be up front about the costs and consequences of discipleship. Jesus knew it was not fair to leave them with the mission to take the good news of Jesus to the world without warning them of the level of opposition they will face. Jesus himself had faced continuous opposition from the moment of his birth until he was finally cruelly falsely accused, tortured and then brutally executed. The accusations made against Jesus were: he broke the Sabbath, he blasphemed, he deceived people, he was demon possessed, of illegitimate birth, an apostate, a sinner, he was mad, a criminal, a Royal Pretender and a political threat. (NIV Study Bible page 2167) John was the only apostle thought to have not died for his faith in Jesus although at the time of writing Revelation he had been banished to the Island of Patmos.

Jesus was primarily addressing his particular disciples at the time in the context of his imminent execution and his subsequent resurrection followed by the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  However, all that he said then applies to his disciples now. There are Christians who try to live in both camps, attempting to conform to the Kingdom of God without giving up the ways of the world. This may arise from a lack of understanding of Jesus’ teaching but it may also be because they do not want to change or be different from the world surrounding them. Jesus draws a much sharper distinction. The world he says should not consider you as one of their own because, ‘I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.’ ^v19

Loving and obeying Jesus will cause you at times to be hated and that is likely to be an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. If we have never experienced that then it may raise questions as to whether we are loving and obeying Jesus.

Jesus sums up the reason for this, ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. When we read Acts and the epistles we see the truth of Jesus’ words. Just as Jesus did they taught, healed the sick, lived their lives in humble community and befriended sinners and unclean foreigners. For this they were ridiculed, faced court hearings, were put in prison, were attacked by mobs and at various times killed. At no time did they politically oppose the authorities. But they did boldly preach the gospel.

This is the lived experience of many today. The evil one will oppose the gospel in all societies in many subtle and explicit ways. However, there will be those who if we teach what Jesus taught they will obey and respond to the gospel, believe and trust in him. ‘If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.’ ^v23

Do we down play the cost of being chosen out of the world? ^{John 15.23}

If so, what do you think are the consequences of teaching that discipleship is only ever positive or easy?

Trust & Obey – Chelsea Moon w/ the Franz Brothers

John 15.17

After Jesus has emphasized the importance of remaining in him and his words remaining in his disciples so that they are enabled to live a fruitful life, Jesus then continues with the instruction to remain in his love. This is a three step love, the Father loves Jesus, Jesus loves his disciples and his disciples are to love each other. ^{vv 9,12} There is something similar to the conservation of energy about this love in that it does not lose any of its force when transferred from one to another. Jesus loves his disciples to the same extent and in the same way as the Father loves him. The disciples then are to love each other in just the same way. ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.’ ^v9 ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’ ^v12

The implications of Jesus’ statement are a lot to take in. God the Father’s love for Jesus cannot be surpassed, it is eternal in nature and is expressed through his pleasure in him. ^{Math 3.17} It is a sacrificial love unto death. ^v13 It is not self centred, it considers the other first and it is reciprocal love. Which is why Jesus says, ‘If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.^{’ V10} His is not the love of an abuser who is making his love conditional. It is a love where Jesus was obedient because he was filled with love for his Father and obedience was his desire.

This is love intended to bring great joy. ^v11 Why joy and not happiness? It is joy because it is eternal and not transient. It is a love that brings purpose and peace and is not subject to circumstances. It is a love that does not rely on the fickleness of humans because its source is God the Father. It is a love that is open and explained and so each party is able to trust one another. Jesus has raised his disciples to the status of friends. ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.’ ^v15 Jesus has made known to his disciples God’s full intentions and what has been made possible for them through Jesus’ death and resurrection. He has explained how he has equipped them for their mission in the world. They have the security that it was Jesus who chose them, and not the other way round, even if it seemed like it at the time. ^v16 If Jesus has chosen you, why would you have anything else to fear? He has provided each Christian with a community to belong to, to be loved by and to love.

Have you taken time to absorb the love of Jesus for you personally?

Love Divine All Loves Excelling – The All Souls Orchestra

John 15.1-8

Most of us want to succeed. The things we may want to succeed in will vary but the notion of success applies to all areas of our life. Parents want to be good parents and want their children to do well. If we are in business then we want our business to thrive to support not only ourselves but benefit others as well. It is unusual not to want to be socially successful even if that is the modest ambition of having a few good friends. When we marry we go into marriage with the intention of it lasting, giving us happiness and if we are Christians of it enhancing our Christian lives.  Jesus though redefines the nature of success through the metaphor of the vine.

In our individualistic age we would naturally think of ourselves being the one who produces the fruit of our lives and it is up to us to independently strive for success. Jesus makes clear that in the Christian life it is him that produces success through us. Observable success in whatever walk of life we are on is measured in how we show the character of Christ. He is the source of Christian success, only through close relationship with him is success, Godly success, achievable. So close is this relationship that is that he speaks of it as, ‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you.’ ^v4 Before Jesus talks of success in terms of achievements such as teaching, healing and acts of service he addresses holiness.

When one first believes in Jesus we are forgiven and cleansed by him in the sight of the Father. ‘You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.’ ^v5 However that does not mean that our life will then continue in a God pleasing way. In fact, he says it will not unless we continue to remain in him and he in us. Otherwise we are like a branch removed from the vine which is naturally incapable of producing fruit. Whatever our plans for achievement through the church or our own lives unless we pay close attention to maintaining our daily relationship with him they will be in vain. We need to constantly seek his strength and Spirit to overcome our desires to sin.

The responsibility is on the Christian to remain in Christ. He makes that clear with the use of the word “if”. ‘If you remain in me’, in verse 5 and ‘If you do not remain in me’, verse 6. Jesus also says that Christian lives that drift away from him and sever their contact will be subject to the Father’s judgement at the end. ‘If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown in the fire and burned.’ ^v6

What then if we feel that describes us now? We have indeed drifted away from Jesus and persistent sin still in part controls our life. Is all lost? Certainly not. Jesus’ immense love is shown in the following section. We need to subject ourselves to the Father’s pruning secateurs and have him cut away that controlling impulse. How is this achieved? By our own confession of our need and incapability of changing on our own. We need to apply ourselves to his word and let his word change our lives. ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.’ ^{v7 ]} The regular reading and application of God’s word (the bible) is a vital part of a fruitful Christian life. He then by his Spirit will enable the Christian to overcome and be fruitful. Much like the vine sends its sap into the branches to bring life to apparently dead branches in the spring.

It is Jesus’ greatest desire that his disciples’ lives should be fruitful, he will not give up on us. ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’ ^v8

How do you ensure that following your first confession of Christ that you are remaining in him?

What fruit in your life are you praying for?

Abide with me – Keith and Kristyn Getty

John 15.1

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.’

2020 during lockdown saw many people spending more time in the garden, physically connecting with life processes, literally from the ground up. I was one of those and I have always loved growing produce but often because other demands in life have taken me away I frequently missed a crucial time. In five years I had not eaten a ripe gooseberry from my three bushes, the blackbirds have always beaten me to the harvest. Last year I was determined to win the gooseberry wars. I cleared the ground, fed the bushes with copious manure, cut out dead wood, and covered them with a net fruit cage. Following a delicate afternoon of carefully picking fruit around the thorns we froze a bumper harvest and are still enjoying gooseberries through the winter.

To be successful in the kitchen garden one has to spend time learning how to create the right environment for each fruit and vegetable, what to do and when. The excitement of bringing in the first strawberry or bowlful of raspberries surely gives us an insight into the Lord’s excitement at seeing a new Christian’s life starting to reflect Christ-like changes in their lives. Jesus chose metaphors and allegories from the natural world firstly because his creation speaks of the Creator, secondly because his immediate audience would have had detailed understanding of the agrarian processes and thirdly because they are not limited by culture and history and so are just as powerful an image now two thousand years later.

Jesus powerfully applied the repeated Old Testament image of Israel being God’s vine to himself. Israel was chosen to be fruitful but had in large part failed and become dead wood. ^{Psalm 80.8-15} This is the last of Jesus’ “I am” sayings. Jesus is now announcing that, “he is the reality of which Israel was but the type.” (New Bible Commentary) Jesus himself is the source of fruitfulness and the nature of fruitfulness. If the Christian or the church are the branches they can only produce fruit when attached to the root stock of Jesus himself. Detached from Jesus the Christian and the church simply become fruitless dead wood. However, when connected, grafted into Jesus, the Christian and the Church can produce a bumper harvest.

God the Father is pictured as the gardener tending to the vine. Once again Jesus is evoking a Trinitarian image of the whole Godhead causing his church or disciples to flourish. If the Father is the gardener it would not be unreasonable to imagine the Holy Spirit as the sap bringing strength and goodness to the whole vine.

Are we prepared to pay as much attention to our Christian lives and the life of our church as the good gardener would to his garden?

Do we have periods when we neglect our Christian lives and the life of the church and allow our lives to become fruitless?

Lord of all hopefulness