One In Jesus

(John 15:1-2 ESV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

In chapter 15, Jesus introduces a new parable, illustrating what he’s already been speaking of.

Jesus is the “true vine.” There is no other. All others are fakes. Continue reading →

Artist: Leczek Forczek

(John 14:27 ESV)  ²⁷ “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

The NET Bible translators comment — Continue reading →

(John 14:21 ESV)  ²¹ “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Jesus is not so much repeating himself as tying concepts together now.

You can’t claim to love Jesus and yet refuse to honor his commandments. Very, very true. But notice the context. Peter would deny Jesus three times in just a few hours. The other apostles would all abandon him at Calvary. Only the women and the disciple Jesus loved would remain at the foot of the cross. The apostles’ faith would be shaken to its core. They’d be devastated — by the loss of Jesus and their own cowardice.

And yet, to whom did Jesus manifest himself? Well, these very same miscreants. That’s grace upon grace. That’s grace unimaginable. Continue reading →

(John 14:19 ESV) ¹⁹ “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”

Jesus is now referring most especially to his post-resurrection appearances. “Because I [will] live, you also will live” surely means that his own resurrection will prove that his followers will also be resurrected. Continue reading →

(John 14:18-19 ESV)  ¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  ¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”

To speak of the disciples as “orphans” is to speak as a father. This is why, back in John 13:3, Jesus refers to them as “little children.” Until now, Jesus has been a rabbi, a friend, a traveling companion, but not a father to the disciples.

However, Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus. How could he enjoy such union with the Father and not feel as a father toward the disciples? Continue reading →

(John 14:7 NET) “If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.”

I prefer the NET Bible’s choice of “have” to “had,” as in the ESV. The NIV also gets it right, I think —

(John 14:7 NIV)  “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The manuscript evidence is ambiguous, but it’s very unlikely that Jesus is intending to accuse the disciples of not really knowing him. Continue reading →

(John 14:1 ESV) “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Jesus had just told Peter than he’d deny Jesus three times that night! Jesus was speaking in dark terms that surely terrified his disciples. They were likely in tears. (I would have been.)

Jesus offers an element of comfort. In effect, he says, “If you believe in God, then you should believe in me.” In this case, “believe” carries the thought of trust or reliance. He’s not saying “believe I’m the Son of God.” In context, he’s saying “believe I’ll take care of you.” Continue reading →