John 15 ~ My Father is the vinedresser.

John 15

 “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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.


18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

One of my most favorite memories as a child,  when our family ate dinner with my step-grandfather Tate, even before he married my grandmother Bit. Tate would arrive in his usual black pants, black leather belt and white button down. If it was summer, then the button down would be short sleeved.  Tate would wear his white Anglican Priest Collar.  Sometimes that would be removed. And dining tables were like the rest of life a few decades back, more solid.  Tate would contribute to the conversation and if I was very fortunate, he would bang on the table.

Jesus loved to talk to people - how do we know for sure, that indeed indeed, indeed Jesus loved dinner conversation?

The "Gospel" of John tells us all the time Jesus was active, active, active ! Going to see His Beloved Children - sometimes crossing over the Sea of Galilee 3 times to find the Person who needed Him that day. Jesus, we are told, moved, traveled, healed, soothed and gathered His Beloved People. Jesus had compassion on us and He longed to gather us under His protection - His Wing.

This Chapter is unusual - the Action of Jesus is not told.

John writes His life and explained, the "Gospel" of John records 13 14, 15, 16, and 17 were the conversation of that one evening. Before Jesus prays His joy in healing us - Jesus does not run down the planet to near despair - He says cheer up,  He has overcome the World. Jesus overcomes and He prays for us today.

Jesus dealt with people, landscapes, hills, politics and kings which were difficult in life and still expressed the value of His hopes, faith in Him and Love. Telling us keep the faith in Jesus!


Father God, when hopes disappoint us, we trust You will provide. And look to Your provision of new solutions! Lifting up people who handle the set backs in life and then are cheerful, like my son Cal. Bless You for Your wisdom and the joy of seeing Alexander being mature, calm and fun. Seeing my family work together to come together for July 4th. Looking over old troubles, with new clarity and seeing God makes a path. May God bless us all with His unlimited storehouse of blessings which begin with forgiveness and continue to gratitude. Amen in Jesus for ourselves and the Nation.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †