Friday | Week 12
Jesus’ great discourse in John 13 through 16, in a pre-eminent way, provides comfort and consolation to his disciples whose hearts were troubled. They must have been particularly troubled by the growing realization that the One who loved them dearly and whose presence and affection they deeply desired, the One they had come to know as the Son of God, was soon to depart from the world and return to the Father. After foretelling of Peter’s denial, Jesus opens by saying, “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1, ESV). And again in closing He says, “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV). He gives them good reason to take heart as He describes the abiding relationship with Him and the Father, which they can experience.
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Thursday | Week 12
It’s About the Fruit
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).
Even before we moved into the house, I noticed the tree standing between our property line and neighbor’s house. Ragged and ugly, it made me wonder about the wisdom of moving into the cul-de-sac. Later, I saw my neighbor out lopping off limbs, making the tree look even more awkward. With curiosity piqued I asked what he was doing. “It’s a pear tree; harsh pruning promotes new growth and fruit.” Now I understood the look of the tree, though I still questioned why it had to be so close to my property. Later that tree produced an abundance of pears.
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Wednesday | Week 12
This is a long passage, but I believe the heart of it may be found in chapter 15 – the passage on the Vine and the Branches. I find verse 4 to be of particular power: “Remain in me, and I will 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.”
When we stop to think about it, we can see the logic of what Jesus says in these few words. Christianity is not just a system of thought, though it is that. Christianity is unique in that the effectiveness of its followers is utterly dependent on their connection to Jesus. The vine and the branch metaphor is exactly about this relationship. A person can believe in Jesus, can have accepted his sacrificial death and promise of heaven, but unless there is an abiding connection between Jesus and the believer, very little will change in their life and very little fruit will result.
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Tuesday | Week 12
If you knew you were soon facing death...and if you knew you had one more opportunity to sit down and share a meal with your loved ones...what would you say? What words would you impart? What final thoughts would you share?
The betrayal of Judas has begun. He has departed. The Upper Room now holds Jesus and His eleven disciples. In John 13:31, Jesus begins to share His final words. Try to put yourself in this setting as Jesus begins to speak to you:
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Monday | Week 12
In this passage, Jesus lets the disciples know that He will only be with them for a short time longer. And He tells them “Where I’m going you cannot come” (John 13:33). Peter says, “Hold on Lord, I want to come. I will lay my life down for you.” Jesus responds, “Really Peter? I tell you before the rooster crows three times you will disown Me three times” (paraphrase John 13:37-38). Jesus, knowing the disciples are getting anxious about the future, comforts them. He lets them know that He is the way to the Father and if you know Him you will know the Father.
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