Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: John 15:1-17

Jesus’ metaphor of the Vine and its branches makes it wonderfully clear that any disciple who remains deeply connected to Him in relational fellowship will be highly fruitful. As we focus our attention and energy on strengthening our relationship with Jesus, His life will flow through us and will produce good fruit.

In His teaching, Jesus shows us a few ways to strengthen our relationship with Him. Firstly, we do so by soaking our minds and hearts in His words (v.7). We can do this by meditating on His words in the Bible, and by listening to the voice of His indwelling Spirit in a disciplined and deliberate way. Secondly, we do so by keeping ourselves aware of His love for us (v.9) and by strengthening our own love for Him through worship and, of course, through prayer (v.7). Charles Spurgeon wrote that “prayer comes spontaneously from those who abide in Jesus. Prayer is the natural outgushing of a soul in communion with Jesus.” Thirdly, we strengthen our relationship with Jesus (and we also live out our love for Him) by loving each other (v.12). To live in loving community with other Christ-followers opens us up greatly to the presence and love of Jesus Himself.

Although (in this chapter) Jesus does not go into great detail about what exactly He means by the “fruit” we will bear, He does allude to the fact that the fruit will include bringing glory to God (v.8), keeping His commands (v.10), giving and receiving His love (v.9 & 12) and experiencing fulness of joy (v.11).

As we deliberately go deeper with Jesus today and pursue a life of obedience to His commands, may we find His love soaking us and His joy bubbling up in us. May our lives bear fruit that is pleasing to our Lord! Amen.