Sharing in Christ’s Work

MEMORY VERSE: “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me.” —John 14:21

JOHN 15:1-11

THE Parable of the Vine and the Branches is designed to show that the divine purpose through Jesus and his dedicated followers is that they bear “fruit.” The parable teaches that this purpose is accomplished through the unity of Christ and his church: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit”—vss. 1,2

Again, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” These statements by Jesus show not only the unity that must exist between Jesus and his true followers, but also that fruitbearing must result from this unity.

The question naturally arises as to what this “fruit” is that is so important. There is, of course, the fruit of the Spirit, which is described as love, joy, peace, etc. These elements of Christian character are indeed important, and those who abide in Christ, and in whom Christ abides, will surely possess this fruitage of Christian character in varying degrees; but no true Christian will be entirely barren of “the fruit of the Spirit.”

It is well to remember that fruit does not grow to enrich itself, but is good for the needs of others. And when we think of this we naturally inquire as to what the Lord’s design is for the present age—what is his work in the earth? He is selecting and preparing a people to be associated with Jesus in the promised blessing of all the families of the earth during the age to come.

All true followers of the Master are commissioned to go into all the world and preach the Gospel; and those who believe are to be encouraged to consecrate themselves to the Lord so that they might receive of the Holy Spirit, and through the influence of the Spirit, be baptized into the body of Christ.

These become brethren in Christ, and it is the privilege of all brethren to lay down their lives for one another in helping them to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord, and thus be prepared to reign with Christ in his future messianic kingdom. This labor of love is a fruitage which gives glory to God because it furthers the interest of his loving plan of redemption and salvation which he is carrying forward in the earth.

This work of glorifying the Lord can be accomplished only by those who are branches in the true “vine,” which is Jesus. Jesus said, “As the branch cannot hear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (vs. 4) How important it is that through a continued spirit of consecration and dedication we abide in the vine.

In the presentation of this vital truth concerning the vine and the branches, Jesus makes another important remark: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (vs. 7) Naturally those who abide in Jesus, and whose words abide in them, will ask in prayer only for those things which they believe are in harmony with the Lord’s will.

But there seems to be a little more than this implied by Jesus’ remark, for he continues, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (vs. 8) In the parable Jesus mentions that those who bear fruit are “purged,” that they might bring forth more fruit. This might suggest trials and discipline, and the branches might well feel their need of the Lord’s help in these times of trial, and this would be one of the things they would pray for.

In view of the context it would seem that Jesus was assuring his disciples that all their petitions relating to their position in the vine and to fruitbearing would receive favorable answers; for in this case their prayers would reveal their genuine interest in the Father’s plan, and a desire above everything else to glorify God.

QUESTIONS

What are the basic teachings of Jesus’ Parable of the Vine and the Branches?

How can we make sure that our prayers will be answered?

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