God's Gospel Truths
John 15:1-11
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[a] 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. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 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. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Footnotes:
[a] John 15:2 The Greek for he prunes also means he cleans.
Pondering Point
How great was the Father's love for His Son Jesus!?! It seems Jesus daily went to bask in it, to draw strength from it, and to live out of it.
Pause on the image of Jesus going to bask in His Father’s love and drawing strength from it. See Jesus plugging into that great love and taking advantage of it daily.
Now consider this: Jesus says that He loves us the way that the Father loved Him!! Take after Jesus by basking in such great love and drawing strength from it. Go ahead – plug in.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, may we daily come to bask in your love to draw strength from it and live out of it. What a great plan for the day!