Jesus’ public ministry is over. The setting for these verses is the upper room where Jesus has gathered with His disciples for the Passover meal and His final meal with them. He has washed their feet. Though there is no mention of the Lords supper in the Gospel of John, it is clear from the Synoptic Gospels that He has instituted the celebration of the new covenant meal. Judas has been identified as the betrayer and has left the group to do his evil deed. Jesus begins to teach His disciples. His subject is discipleship.
In this setting Jesus carefully explains that the final goal of the disciple’s life is to bear the fruit. He holds back nothing from them. Though He demands a total devotion, it is one that is powered by His love for them. Much like what the passage of Hebrews reveals about Jesus’ driving devotion to His redemptive task - namely, “the joy that was set before Him” (Heb.12:2), so too Jesus sets the task of discipleship in the context of joy. And the end goal of discipleship is to be people of the love of Christ - the ultimate reflection of the true disciple.
February 1, 2015 | Pastor John Bayles | Before I Leave You: Pruned for Fruitfulness | John 15:1-16
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