“No matter how many great things God had planned for us, unless we learn to walk by faith instead of fear, we won’t do any of them.” Beth Moore

At the end of  John 14, the disciples had just shared the Passover supper with Jesus. He washed their feet and then described the events that would lead to his crucifixion. Jesus proceeds to comfort the disciples and prepare them for His coming death. 

His desire was for their unity, obedience, and love. Jesus discusses with them his relationship to them as their source of life, the vine, and that as the ones whose ministry would be continued through the Holy Spirit after His departure.

The disciple’s response to Jesus was worry and sorrow. Jesus’ posture was to bring them reassurance and his comfort. He uses the vine to summarize and prepare His disciples for a time when he would no longer be with them in flesh. Challenging them to remain in him through obedience and love with the promise that by abiding in him his Spirit would always be with them.

Be of good faith my friend, God’s purposes for you are great!

John 15:1-5 NKJV
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.